Indian scientists have identified terrestrial sites in Tamil Nadu and Chile that could help researchers understand the geological conditions and history of water on Mars. The study, led by researchers from the University of Kerala, identified two minerals, melanterite and gypsum, whose formation and properties provide insights into water-rock interactions relevant to the Red Planet.
According to a Ministry of Science and Technology release published by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on October 16, 2026, melanterite was identified in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, while gypsum was found in the Atacama Desert in Chile and the Tiruchirappalli Badlands in Tamil Nadu.
These locations have been identified as Martian analogue sites because of their geological, chemical and physical similarities to environments on Mars. Such sites allow scientists to study processes on Earth that may resemble those that occurred on other planetary bodies.
The findings are particularly relevant because orbital observations alone cannot fully characterise Martian minerals, according to the ministry. Researchers therefore require terrestrial locations and advanced analytical instruments to investigate mineral formation and understand the environmental conditions associated with them.
The research was conducted by a team led by Dr Sajin Kumar K.S., Project Coordinator of the Department of Science and Technology’s Fund for Improvement of Science and Technology Infrastructure (DST-FIST) at the University of Kerala. The team used a laser Raman spectrometer supported by DST-FIST to identify the minerals through their distinctive spectral fingerprints.
The findings have been published in two research papers in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, a scientific journal focusing on planetary science.
Minerals reveal evidence of water activity on Mars-like terrain
Both melanterite and gypsum are hydrous sulphates, minerals that contain water as part of their structure and can provide evidence of interactions between water and rocks.
The two minerals offer different insights into environmental conditions. Gypsum can preserve evidence of past aqueous environments, while melanterite indicates temporary wet, acidic and oxidising conditions associated with sulphide oxidation.
At Neyveli, the researchers identified melanterite formed from marcasite in the lignite substratum. The mineral provides evidence of short-lived wet conditions, a process relevant to understanding sulphate formation on Mars.
Gypsum identified in the Atacama Desert and the Tiruchirappalli Badlands offers another perspective on past water activity. According to the ministry, gypsum can preserve biosignatures within its mineral matrix, making it useful for investigating environments that may once have supported life.
The identification of these minerals could help researchers understand how water interacted with the Martian surface and how environmental conditions changed over time. Such investigations are important for astrobiology, the study of the potential for life beyond Earth.
However, identifying minerals that form under conditions relevant to Mars does not establish that life existed at the terrestrial sites or on the Red Planet. Instead, the findings provide researchers with geological evidence that can be used to investigate past environments and identify locations worthy of further study.
The laser Raman spectrometer played a central role in confirming the mineral identities. By analysing the distinctive spectral signatures of the samples, the researchers could distinguish the minerals and study their characteristics.
Research to support future planetary exploration
The University of Kerala team is now expanding its work to investigate rare terrestrial analogue sites located in extreme environments across different parts of the world. The objective is to understand conditions relevant to primitive life and support future astrobiological research using the same analytical facility.
The findings also highlight the importance of research infrastructure supported through DST-FIST. Access to advanced instruments such as the laser Raman spectrometer allows researchers to conduct detailed mineralogical investigations and develop a better understanding of geological processes that may have occurred on Mars.
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