Scientists Discover Three Mars-Like Sites on Earth
- 17 Oct 2026
On October 16, 2026, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), under the Ministry of Science and Technology, announced findings by Indian scientists who identified minerals at three terrestrial sites in Tamil Nadu and Chile that can help researchers understand geological processes on Mars.
Key Facts
- Researchers: Scientists from the Department of Geology, University of Kerala, led by Dr. K. S. Sajin Kumar, investigated geological environments with similarities to those found on Mars.
- Major Sites: Neyveli and the Tiruchirappalli Badlands in Tamil Nadu, India, and the Atacama Desert in Chile were identified as Martian analogue sites.
- Two Major Minerals: Melanterite was identified at Neyveli, while gypsum was identified in the Tiruchirappalli Badlands and the Atacama Desert. Both are hydrous sulfate minerals that record water–rock interactions.
- Significance of Melanterite: Melanterite indicates short-lived wet conditions and acidic, oxidizing environments. Its formation can help scientists understand sulfate formation processes relevant to Mars.
- Significance of Gypsum: Gypsum can preserve evidence of past aqueous environments and has the potential to preserve biosignatures within its mineral structure.
- Technique Used: A laser Raman spectrometer was used to identify the minerals through their characteristic spectral fingerprints.
- Financial Support: The research used scientific equipment supported under the Department of Science and Technology's Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) scheme.
- Research Publication: The findings were published in two research papers in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
- Importance: These terrestrial analogue sites can help scientists reconstruct Mars' aqueous history, investigate potentially habitable environments, and guide future planetary exploration missions.
