Evolution of the Martian Geological Environment and Exploration of Habitability of Mars

Abstract

Search for life on Mars requires an understanding of the evolution history of Mars geological environment and its impact on the formation and preservation of life. In this paper, the latest research achievements in the history of Mars geological evolution were summarized, the history and progress of life exploration on Mars were reviewed, and shows that there was once a large amount of liquid water activity on the surface of Mars, groundwater and hot spring activities are also present. There are a variety of hydrogenic landforms and minerals, with the necessary elements to form life. The search for traces of life on Mars should focus on areas of long-term water activity, including ancient oceans, lakes, deltas, groundwater and hydrothermal activity regions, as well as cave interiors that could provide habitable environments. The present Martian environment is very harsh for the formation and preservation of life . The surface of Mars is subjected to intense radiation and the future exploration of life on Mars should pay attention to the deep sedimentary strata and caves. The microbial population on Mars may be scarce; collecting samples from right sites and bringing them to Earth and using the-state-of-art technology on Earth to search for possible traces of life on Mars is the best option.

Keywords

Mars / habitable environments / life signal / sample return