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Martian lake rocks might be hiding microbial fossils within their sediments.
After an unending quest to find life on Mars, researchers might have finally found out where to look for it. The planet was once covered in lakes that, given the presence of liquid water, might have been populated by different life forms. Now, the formations are covered in rocks, and these Martian lake rocks might hold fossil evidence of life on the planet.
Martian Lake Rocks Must Be Hiding Important Fossils
Researchers have been suspecting for quite a long time that life must have existed on the Red Planet. Now, a recent study suggests we might prove it by looking at the Martian lake rocks at the bottom of these formations. The rich quantity of silica and iron, together with liquid water, might have made it possible for life to thrive.
Therefore, researchers concluded these Martian lake rocks must hide valuable fossils. However, you shouldn’t expect some complex animal hiding in the sediments. The life forms inside them were most probably microbes.
The Martian lake rocks in question date back to 3 or 4 billion years ago, coinciding with the Noachian epoch. Back then, researchers assumed the region had plenty of liquid water and friendlier temperatures, so it was possible for microbes to survive.
The Study is Showing Researchers How to Look for Life
Researchers developed the study as a guide for future Martian explorations. They do not only indicate the likely location of the fossils but also describe some techniques to analyze the rocks. Fortunately, the mission won’t be too complicated, given the lack of tectonic movements on Mars. This means the Martian lake rocks must be in a better state than sediments of the same age found on Earth.
There might be more rocks that hide promising fossils on them. However, we still don’t have the means for a thorough exploration of the planet. As a result, researchers have chosen the most promising rock deposits that might really hold valuable evidence. The study on the matter was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research.
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