NASA alien life study: Mars landslides could indicate ‘near-surface active chemistry’

Mars analogue field investigations on Earth, such as in the Dry Valleys of Antarctica, the Dead Sea in Israel and Salar de Pajonales in the Atacama Desert, reveal disruptions on the surface, including collapse and landslides, result from when salts interact with gypsum or water underground.

Nancy Hinman, Professor of Geosciences at the University of Montana and member of the SETI Institute NAI team, added there are surprisingly strong parallels with systems on Earth.

She said: “During my fieldwork at Salar de Pajonales, a dry salt bed in Northern Chile, I have observed numerous examples of the action of salts on the local geology.

“It’s gratifying to find that it could play a role in shaping Mars as well.”