This article examines the evidence for recent liquid water on Mars. NASA scientists believe that piles of crater-topped debris snapped by the Mars orbiter were caused by the teakettle explosion of water through volcanic lava flows at the planet's equator and are the best evidence yet for recent liquid water at the Red Planet. Researchers believe that lava flows advanced over wet ground, causing steam explosions that left rootless cones resembling structures found in Iceland (whose origins are known). There are three scenarios that may account for the source of the ice. It could be leftover from the planet's formation, it could have condensed from vapor in the atmosphere, or it could be the result of surface flooding. The researchers are particularly excited because the structures are far from Mars' polar regions, where indications of water have long been recognized, and by evidence that the lava was flowing over ice no deeper than 5 meters (15 feet) below the surface. A Spanish translation is available.
This description of a site outside SERC has not been vetted by SERC staff and may be incomplete or incorrect. If you
have information we can use to flesh out or correct this record let us know.
