Huge lake on Mars causes waves

A massive underground lake has been detected for the first time on Mars, raising the possibility that more water – and maybe even life – exists there.

Located under a layer of Martian ice, the lake is about 20km wide, said the report, led by Italian astronomers in the US journal Science on Wednesday.

It is the largest body of liquid water ever found on the Red Planet. “This is a stunning result that suggests water on Mars is not a temporary trickle like previous discoveries but a persistent body of water that provides the conditions for life for extended periods of time,” said Alan Duffy, an associate professor at Swinburne University, who was not involved in the study. Mars is now cold, barren and dry but used to be warm and wet. It was home to plenty of liquid water and lakes at least 3.6 billion years ago.

Scientists are eager to find signs of contemporary water, because such discoveries are key to unlocking the mystery of whether life ever formed on Mars in its ancient past, or if it might persist today.

Being able to access water sources could also help humans survive on a future crewed mission to Earth’s neighbouring planet.

This particular lake, however, would not be drinkable, and lies almost 1.5km beneath the icy surface in a harsh and frigid environment.