Carbon Rocks Deep Underground Could Hold the Evidence of Mars' Watery Past.
A new geochemical modeling study led by researchers at JAXA and the University of Tokyo addresses Mars' "missing" stores of carbonate rocks.
Recent research suggests carbonates beneath Mars' surface could hold clues about the planet's watery past. A study led by JAXA researchers reveals feldspar-rich rocks on Mars may be responsible for the scarcity of carbonates found on the surface. Simulations found feldspar-rich rocks readily produce calcium/iron-rich carbonates under most conditions, while mafic rocks only do so briefly.
Groundwater appears to dissolve carbonates near the surface and reprecipitate them deeper underground, potentially creating vast underground stores of carbonates. This implies Mars may have had substantial water reserves in the past, now buried beneath the surface, offering potential targets for future Mars missions seeking evidence of the planet's wetter, warmer history.
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