Rivers of magma once flowed under the surface of Mars, study says

This makes it more likely that rocky planets could have had life

Published 22 July 2026 115 words
SCIENCE A1
Rivers of magma once flowed under the surface of Mars, study says

New research says Mars had rivers of hot, melted rock under its ground a long time ago. This is a surprise. It means Mars may have had life. It also means more rocky planets might have had life.

Scientists looked at information from Nasa’s Insight Lander. This lander heard shaking from rocks hitting Mars and Mars quakes. The scientists used this to study a layer 24km under the ground. They think hot, melted rock was there, flowing in large streams.

This finding means Mars could have had a complex inside. This could help create air and water on the surface. It could also help control the weather. This means planets without moving ground plates might still be able to have life.

Vocabulary

melted rock — hot rock that has turned into a liquid
underground — below the surface of the ground
quakes — sudden shaking of the ground
information — facts or details about something
surface — the outside part of something

Discussion Questions

  1. What did scientists find under the ground on Mars?
  2. What is the Insight Lander?
  3. Why is this discovery important for finding life on other planets?

Based on an article from The Guardian.

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