Mars' subsurface could harbour ocean

A study of NASA’s Mars InSight lander suggests the Red Planet may be drenched beneath its surface, with enough water to form a global ocean


Seismometer: Measures seismic waves from quakes and meteorite impacts to reveal image of planet’s interior

Heat probe: Burrows down almost five metres to take temperature – this reveals how much heat is flowing out of interior


Iron-rich outer core
Crust
Inner core

Water is believed to be 11.5km to 20km beneath Martian crust


Landing site: Landed Nov 26, 2018 in western portion of Elysium Planitia


Mars InSight lander detects more than 1,300 quakes before shutting down in Dec 2022


Sources: Associated Press, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Reuters
Picture: NASA
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