NASA Discovers Ice Deposit On Mars The Size Of Lake Superior

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced the discovery of a colossal mass of underground ice on Mars that could hold as much water as Lake Superior, the second-largest lake on Earth. The body was found in a region of the red planet called ‘the Utopia’ in an area some 2,050mi (~3,300km) in diameter, roughly the size of New Mexico, and running about 560ft below the surface.

The discovery was made by the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) orbital instrument, which passed over Utopia some 600 times.The ice is protected by a layer of soil, as water cannot exist on the surface of Mars, and it is believed that the deposit is close enough to be accessed by astronauts.

Joe Levy, one of the co-authors of the study, said scientists may be able to better understand Mars’ history of climate change because of the discovery, and could possibly discern whether the planet’s water supply could have sustained life.

The article first appeared on Sputnik International.