a recent study has revealed that scientists have identified a location on mars that may be the most suitable for future human settlement.
the study was led by planetary geologist erika lutz from the university of mississippi, who pointed out the presence of a geographic area on the martian surface that could potentially support life.
the researchers based their findings on high-resolution images of amazonis planitia, a vast volcanic plain stretching between the equator and the polar regions of the red planet.
the images, captured by a nasa spacecraft, showed fresh craters, multiple ridges and cracks, and terrain resembling that of earth's polar regions.
signs of potential for life
according to a report by earth.com, these formations are strong evidence of pockets of water ice located less than a meter below the surface.
the site noted that this ice would be relatively easy for robotic drills—or future astronauts—to access without the need for heavy machinery.
this discovery is considered a key indicator for survival and self-sufficiency on mars.
lead author lutz stated:
"if we’re going to send humans to mars, we’ll need water and fuel."
according to earth.com, sending a crew of four astronauts to mars for a 500-day mission would require around 20 tons of water.
transporting that amount from earth to mars would demand additional spacecraft and massive budgets.
for this reason, experts created a map outlining the locations of the newly discovered landforms and cavities, which appear capable of preserving ice for millions of years—despite the planet’s dry surface.
previously, scientists had identified cold, dark polar ice and deep tropical ice. however, the newly discovered ice stands out for its shallow depth and easy access, making it an ideal source of water and a potential step toward establishing habitable conditions on mars.