The team of international scientists detected extensive salty groundwater networks in Antarctica using a novel airborne electromagnetic mapping sensor system called SkyTEM. The research provides evidence that the underground lakes and brine-saturated sediments may support subsurface microbial ecosystems. The findings shed new light on ancient climate change on Earth and provide evidence that a similar briny aquifer could support microscopic life on Mars.

A helicopter begins a survey with an airborne electromagnetic sensor at Bull Pass in the Wright Valley, McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150428125258.htm Credit: J. Mikucki