Scientists have been searching whether the red planet ever had water on its surface. Water, being important to life, could indicate chances of future human civilization on Mars, as per scientific hypotheses. Images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter or the MRO recently showed possible glacier beneath white salt-like structures, named “relict glacier” by scientists.
Salt On Top Of Glacier
According to the lead author of the study, Pascal Lee, the image clearly shows white substance, most probably salt, covering an area of 3.7 miles long over a giant deposit of glacier. He further said that the salt has been formed over the glaciers to preserve the glacier below. The structure has been discovered near the Mars’ equator and is estimated to be around 2.5 miles in width.
Volcanic Eruptions In The Region
The specific region where the structure has been discovered is famous for continuous volcanic activity on Mars, the Co-author of the study said. According to the scientists, there could have been water near the volcano in the recent past, but multiple volcanic eruptions would have reacted with it and converted it into sulfate salts.
