Researchers have found silica associated with some vents on the flanks of a relatively young volcano on Mars. They say that means that, if life ever existed on Mars, the vents could have been among its last refuges.
Silica, or silica dioxide, is formed as a result of warm water flowing through rock. Warm water associated with a volcano is probably not a stunner, but the fact remains that liquid water combined with a heat source may produce a niche environment that could support life-- if life could get there. The identification of silica is a marker that can be used to guide scientists to potentially interesting places. Researchers suggest such vents may be among the first places to look for possible Martian fossils.
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