Four underground lakes with liquid water were discovered on Mars, the BBC reports.
Earlier, scientists discovered three reservoirs and were able to confirm the existence of a fourth. The data of 134 observations carried out by the spacecraft in the period from 2012 to 2019 helped make the discovery.
The "system of reservoirs" on the planet are located at a depth of approximately 800 meters. They occupy an area equal to approximately one-fifth of the area of Germany.
The total surface area covered by the lakes is 75 square kilometers. The largest of the lakes has a width of about 30 kilometers.
The presence of water increases the likelihood of microbial life on Mars or under its surface. A high concentration of salt probably prevents the water from freezing. It is believed that four billion years ago, Mars was warm and humid, with an atmosphere similar to Earth's, but eventually turned into a desert world due to the disappearance of the magnetic field.
The surface temperature at the South Pole is estimated to be minus 113 degrees Celsius and gradually gets warmer with depth.
