Scientists are turning their attention towards a strange funnel-shaped phenomena on Mars in what they believe holds a sign of life on the Red Planet.
According to a study by the University of Texas, two separate depressions on Mars could be housing some form of microbial life, stated UT News.
Scientists claimed the depressions are most likely created by a volcano beneath a glacier, leaving behind a warm and chemical-rich environment for microbial life to grow.
Joseph Levy, the lead author of the research study, said the landforms looked like a bulls-eye. Such patterns can be found in Earth materials as well.
According to Science Alert, the first depression or funnel-shaped site is located inside a crater on the edge of the Hellas Planitia region in the southern hemisphere of Mars.
Another similar structure has been found upon further study in the Galaxias Fossae region of Mars, located in another giant basin called the Utopia Planitia.
Although the first funnel was discovered by Levy way back in 2009, only this year he got the opportunity to study them more in detail.
This year, Levy used stereoscopic images to investigate the depression more thoroughly and find out the reason of its origin.
Study collaborator Timothy Goudge, a postdoctoral fellow at the institute, used 3D models of the depressions to determine their shape, appearance and how much material was lost during their formation.
The 3D view also helped them to determine whether the scenarios were formed because of volcano or meteor impact.
Researchers found out that the funnel shape can be formed in more than one ways.
"The debris spread around the Galaxias Fossae depression suggests that it was the result of an impact - but the known volcanic history of the area still doesn't rule out volcanic origins. In contrast, the Hellas depression has many signs of volcanic origins. It lacks the surrounding debris of an impact and has a fracture pattern associated with concentrated removal of ice by melting or sublimation," said Levy.
Levy pointed out that volcanic eruption under ice sheets develop an environment with liquid water and chemical nutrients, both ingredients required for life on Earth.
Thus, scientists should keep this in mind when searching for life source on Mars in future. They should keep a special eye on these two depressions.
The research was supported by a NASA Mars Data Analysis Program award.
Researchers from Brown University and Mount Holyoke College also participated in the study.
