A new study suggests that the thick layers of clay on Mars may hold clues to the planet’s potential for life in the ancient past. The research, published in Nature Astronomy, analyzed 150 clay deposits found on the Red Planet and discovered that they are mostly located in low areas near ancient lakes.
The team, led by Rhianna Moore, used data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to study the shapes and locations of the clays, which are thought to have formed around 3.7 billion years ago under warmer and wetter conditions than currently prevail on Mars.
Clay forms in the presence of liquid water, and these layers are hundreds of feet thick. The team believes that the clay’s formation may have been influenced by the lack of tectonic activity on Mars, which led to a different chemical weathering process.
“We think that the clay is one of many factors that’s contributing to this weird lack of predicted carbonates on Mars,” said Moore. “The clay may have absorbed water and trapped chemical byproducts, preventing them from spreading and reacting with the surrounding rock.”
The study’s findings suggest that intense chemical weathering on Mars may have disrupted the usual balance between weathering and climate. This could have created favorable conditions for life to exist on the planet in the ancient past.
While the discovery is intriguing, it’s essential to note that there is currently no definitive evidence of life on Mars. However, this study provides new insights into the planet’s geological history and potential habitability.
Source: https://www.space.com/astronomy/mars/could-signs-of-mars-life-be-hidden-in-its-thick-layers-of-clay