A recent debate has emerged regarding the presence of liquid water in Mars' mid-crust. Planetary scientist Bruce Jakosky contested the conclusions of a 2024 study that suggested a substantial amount of liquid water exists beneath the Martian surface.
The original study, based on data from NASA's InSight mission, indicated that the geophysical properties of Mars' mid-crust, located 11.5 to 20 kilometers below the surface, could be best explained by fractured igneous rock saturated with liquid water. The study estimated a potential global equivalent layer (GEL) of water between one and two kilometers deep.
Jakosky, while acknowledging the study's methodology, proposed alternative interpretations of the InSight data. He argued that factors such as pore space arrangement and the presence of solid ice could also account for the findings. His reassessment broadened the estimated GEL range from zero to two kilometers.
Future missions with advanced geological analysis capabilities are expected to provide a clearer understanding of Mars' water reserves, which is crucial for understanding the planet's hydrological history, potential for life, and suitability for future exploration.