"Our data suggests the presence of water in the crust of Mars at a comparable time to the earliest evidence for water on the Earth's surface, around 4.4 billion years ago..."
Could life on Mars have started at the same time as life on Earth? A groundbreaking study of a Martian meteorite reveals that water, a fundamental ingredient for life, was present on Mars as early as 4.4 billion years ago—around the same time water appeared on Earth.
Water on Mars: A Key to Understanding Planetary Evolution
For decades, scientists have recognized Mars as a planet that once held water, with ancient riverbeds and lakebeds carved into its surface. Yet, one question lingered: when did water first appear on the Red Planet? A recent analysis of zircon minerals found in a Martian meteorite, nicknamed “Black Beauty,” sheds light on this mystery.
“Our data suggests the presence of water in the crust of Mars at a comparable time to the earliest evidence for water on the Earth’s surface, around 4.4 billion years ago,” explained Jack Gillespie, lead researcher from the University of Lausanne. This research, published in Science Advances, was conducted in collaboration with Curtin University and the University of Adelaide.
The meteorite, discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2011, was ejected from Mars millions of years ago during a massive impact. Encased within this cosmic relic are zircon crystals, which act as time capsules for the planet’s history.
How Zircon Unlocks the Secrets of Mars’ Past
Zircon minerals are invaluable for geologists because they preserve traces of uranium, a natural clock that decays into lead at a predictable rate. By analyzing the uranium-to-lead ratio, scientists can determine the age and conditions under which the crystals formed.
The zircon in “Black Beauty” dates back 4.45 billion years and reveals an intriguing chemical composition, including unusual levels of iron, aluminum, and sodium. These elements suggest that water played an active role during the magmatic activity that created the rock.
“This discovery provides new evidence for understanding the planetary evolution of Mars, the processes that took place on it, and its potential to have harbored life,” Gillespie emphasized.
Hydrothermal Systems: A Shared Blueprint for Life?
The findings also hint at similarities between Mars and early Earth. Scientists believe that Mars might have had hydrothermal systems—hot water vents or springs—which are known to have played a critical role in the development of life on Earth.
“Hydrothermal systems were essential for the development of life on Earth, and our findings suggest Mars also had water, a key ingredient for habitable environments, during the earliest history of crust formation,” noted Aaron Cavosie of Curtin University.
This research offers compelling evidence that Mars and Earth shared a critical similarity in their early histories: the presence of water. While we may never know if life truly existed on Mars, these discoveries bring us one step closer to understanding the Red Planet’s potential to support life.
