Researchers from Curtin University in Perth, Australia, and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland have uncovered the oldest evidence of hot water activity on Mars. This groundbreaking finding emerged from the analysis of a Martian meteorite, published in the journal Science Advances.
The team examined a 4.45 billion-year-old zircon grain found in meteorite NWA7034, dubbed the 'Black Beauty.' The zircon revealed geochemical signs indicating the presence of water-rich fluids that contributed to the formation of the Martian crust.
Using nanoscale geochemistry, scientists detected trace elemental changes within the zircon. This advanced technique enabled them to identify elements such as iron, aluminum, yttrium, and sodium, which were incorporated during the mineral's formation under magmatic conditions.
The presence of these chemical elements suggests that the zircon experienced exposure to water-rich fluids, offering insights into the ancient environmental conditions on Mars. This discovery could have significant implications for understanding the planet's geological history and its potential to support life.