Scientists Report a Relic Glacier-Lrozen Salt Deposit on Mars Near the Equator
A remnant glacierlike feature has been detected on Mars close to the equator, a finding presented by planetary scientists from the SETI Institute at the 54th scientific conference dedicated to the study of moons and planets held in Woodlands, Texas. The announcement highlights ongoing efforts to understand how ice or ice-like materials could persist under Martian conditions, especially in regions where temperatures rise briefly during the day.
The question of liquid water on Mars remains one of the central debates in modern planetary science. The red planet experiences persistently cold temperatures, and CO2 can freeze at the poles. In equatorial zones, temperatures can exceed freezing, but water cannot linger as pools because it tends to sublimate and evaporate rapidly under the thin Martian atmosphere. Still, researchers are intrigued by the possibility that a unique combination of factors might permit temporary water reservoirs or even long lasting salt-ice formations in equatorial locales.
Pascal Lee and his team reported a discovery near Mars’ equator that is described as a relic glacier. The feature lies in the eastern region of a region named the Labyrinth of Night, with approximate coordinates 7°33′S, 93°14′W. The formation spans roughly 6 kilometers in length and 4 kilometers in width, rising between 1.3 and 1.7 kilometers above surrounding terrain. Light-colored deposits in such locales are often made up of sulfate salts, yet this geologic feature exhibits many glacier-like characteristics, including fissure networks and bands akin to moraines.
Lee explains that the observed structure is not comprised primarily of ice. Instead, it appears to be salt deposits that have assumed the topographic shape of a glacier, while the ice beneath may have influenced the overall form. The region has a history of volcanic activity, and as volcanic material interacted with ice, chemical reactions occurred at the boundary between them. As erosion removed overlying material, a hardened sulfate layer was exposed, preserving the glacier-like profile. Future investigations aim to determine whether water ice persists beneath the light deposits or if it has decayed entirely over time.
Confirming the presence of ice would have practical implications for future Mars missions. A real water source close to a relatively warm zone could simplify life support and fuel needs for crews and equipment during ascent and descent, potentially reducing launch and ascent costs. Such a discovery would also influence strategy for establishing permanent or semi permanent outposts on Mars and for planning sustained exploration and science operations in near equatorial regions.
For further context on human plans to establish bases and extract resources from lunar and martian environments, readers can consult forthcoming material from the publication socialbites.ca as developments unfold. Citation: SETI Institute and collaborating researchers presented the discovery at the 54th conference on planetary science in Woodlands, Texas, with additional notes by researchers working in Mars geology and volatiles chemistry. Attribution for this report rests with the presenting team and their collaborating institutions.