Underneath the Dry Valleys may not be so dryA recent study led by a researcher from the University o

Underneath the Dry Valleys may not be so dryA recent study led by a researcher from the University of Tennessee revealed that there are interconnected aquifers beneath the glaciers and permafrost. The briny liquid is about 300m under the surface and around twice the salinity of sea water and of course, is well below freezing (though it stays a liquid due to the salinity and pressure).To map this groundwater, the team used a new instrument called SkyTEM which can generate images of subsurface environments. It does this by measuring the electrical resistivity beneath the frozen ground, and as liquids, especially salty liquids, are more conductive than ice, soil or rock it is possible to differentiate what lies beneath the surface.If Blood Falls (see previous post:http://on.fb.me/1FJVyeK) is representative of the groundwater discovered in this study, then it is likely that a rather diverse and large living ecosystem is existing below the Dry Valleys! This is particularly important for understanding the ways in which life might survive on Mars, as the Dry Valleys have conditions remarkably similar to those of Mars.It is well known that sub-glacial water exists throughout the icy continent, but this is the first time subsurface water has been discovered in areas that are not covered by ice.-MJAImage credit: VALMAPFurther reading:http://bit.ly/1I206NMReference:Mikucki, J. A., Auken, E., Tulaczyk, S., Virginia, R. A., Schamper, C., Sørensen, K. I., … & Foley, N. (2015). Deep groundwater and potential subsurface habitats beneath an Antarctic dry valley. Nature Communications, 6.[__](https://www.facebook.com/TheEarthStory/photos/a.352867368107647/870438003017245/?type=1&theater#) -- source link

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