Taupo landscape could hold key to life on Mars

Geothermal environments near Taupo could help scientists discover if there was ever life on Mars.

Ancient hot springs are believed to have occurred on Mars, and these extreme environments are thought to be a likely place to have hosted microbial life.

This means the studies of University of Auckland PhD Geology student Bridget Lynne into silica rock transformation at the geothermal site Orakei Korako, north of Taupo, have extraterrestrial significance.

Ms Lynne spent two years at Orakei Korako studying the formation and transformation of silica rocks placed inside a fumarole, an acidic steam vent of approximately 95C.

The silica deposited in sites such as these coats, entombs and fossilises the microbes living in the area. The silica transforms over time, eventually becoming quartz.

Earlier research suggested the quartz took thousands of years to form, but Ms Lynne found quartz patches at Orakei Korako within 21 weeks.

"Our research has documented the changes that take place in the extreme environment of geothermally active areas, which will allow better analysis of the rocks and identification of fossil layers within those rocks," Ms Lynne said.

"This research will have international significance, not only for looking at fossils in ancient earth rocks, but in looking at ancient rocks from Mars that might hold proof of life."

The research has been published in September's issue of Geology.

- NZPA