Mars water source an important discovery for the fate of future base

3DNews reports that analysis of archived data collected by the Curiosity rover over the past ten years of Mars exploration has revealed that Mars has massive opal deposits. It is estimated to hold up to 5.7 litres of water. This is an important discovery for the fate of a future base on Mars.

It is noted that the presence of opal deposits on Mars was known back in 2008 from information obtained by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The probe detected large droplets in some regions of the Red Planet, which are believed to be hydrated (combined with water molecules) deposits of silicon dioxide (silica).

Silica hydrate itself is an opal that forms when water weathers silica-rich rocks. The solution enters cracks and cavities, where it solidifies and over millions of years becomes a precious mineral.

The water in opal is not bound to the crystal structure and can be released again when the mineral is crushed and heated. According to an analysis of Curiosity's data, deposits 1 metre long and 30 cm deep can contain up to 5.7 litres of water, and the rover found far more such deposits than scientists had expected. This is good news for plans to explore Mars, the report says.