Potential life on Mars likely lived below the surface

    Life on Ancient Mars may have been living a few miles below the surface. This is likely due to the subsurface melting of geothermal heat-fuelled thick ice sheets. In order to see whether heating via geothermal or underground heat would have been possible 4.1 billion to 3.7 billion years ago, research examined different Mars datasets.

    Study may help to resolve what is known as the paradox of the faint young sun. Lead author Lujendra Ojha claims that the subsurface may represent Mars' longest-lived habitable environment. Over time, in our solar system, the Sun has gradually brightened and warmed the surface of the planets.

    There are many geological indicators on the surface of Mars, such as ancient riverbeds. These suggest that in the Noachian era, the Red Planet had abundant liquid water. The faint young sun paradox, the researchers said, is this apparent contradiction between the geological record and climate models.

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