VOA慢速：新研究显示火星存在大型地下海洋

New Study Suggests Mars Has Large Underground Ocean

慢速 | CET-4 中等 | 655词 | 6min19s

刘立军供稿

Part I. QUESTIONS

Listen to the news and choose the best answer to each question you hear.

Q1. What was the primary purpose of NASA’s InSight Lander’s mission on Mars?

A. To gather data about atmospheric composition.

B. To capture data from within the planet’s interior.

C. To explore potential human habitats.

D. To photograph surface features.

Q2. According to the study, where is the liquid water on Mars most likely located?

A. On the surface of Mars.

B. Between 11 to 20 kilometers beneath the crust.

C. In the planet’s polar ice caps.

D. In underground caverns close to the surface.

Q3. What conclusion did the researchers draw about the presence of liquid water and the potential for life on Mars based on Earth analogs?

A. Liquid water on Mars is too deep to support any form of life.

B. Life on Earth in extreme environments is unique and can’t be compared.

C. Earth’s deep subsurface microbial life suggests similar possibilities for Mars.

D. Liquid water likely exists only in isolated pockets, making life unlikely.

Q4. What major challenge is highlighted regarding the confirmation of liquid water deep beneath Mars’ surface?

A. Mars lacks a magnetic field to protect water deposits.

B. There are no existing maps to pinpoint potential water locations.

C. The water is believed to be contaminated with toxic substances.

D. The essential equipment to drill that deep is currently unavailable.

Q5. What does the study suggest regarding the Martian water cycles and climate development?

A. Understanding Martian water cycles could provide insights into the planet’s climate history.

B. Mars had little to no water cycles historically.

C. Mars’ water cycles are primarily influenced by its polar ice caps.

D. Martian water cycles are similar to those on Venus.

Part II. TRANSCRIPT

New Study Suggests Mars Has Large Underground Ocean

A new study provides evidence that Mars contains a large ocean deep beneath its surface.

The finding is based on data collected by the InSight Lander, a robotic explorer operated by the American space agency NASA. (Q1) InSight, which landed in 2018, was designed to capture data from within the planet’s interior. The lander ended its operations on Mars in late 2022.

For the current study, researchers used seismic data collected by InSight. The team examined the data to study Martian quake activity. Seismic activity on Mars happens in the form of “marsquakes.” NASA says InSight had recorded more than 1,300 marsquakes.

seismic adj. 地震的；因地震引起的

The device InSight uses to measure ground movements is called a seismometer. NASA specially designed the lander and its instruments to be extremely sensitive for the Martian environment. The seismic data suggests liquid water exists deep beneath the ground where InSight operated from.

seismometer n. 地震仪；测震仪

Since water is considered necessary to support life, scientists say the presence of it on Mars leaves open the possibility that some form of life might exist, or existed there in the past.

Numerous past studies have also provided evidence that liquid water could exist on Mars. Scientists have already uncovered evidence that about 3 billion years ago, the surface of Mars likely had an active system of lakes, rivers and oceans.

Mars is believed to have lost its surface water as its atmosphere thinned. This likely turned the planet into the dry, dusty world it is today. Scientists have theorized that much of the ancient water escaped out into space or remained buried under the surface.

theorize v. 推理，推测

Water below Martian crust

Vashan Wright is an assistant professor of Geophysics at the University of California San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. He helped lead the research. (Q2) Wright told The Associated Press the data suggests liquid water sits between 11 to 20 kilometers down in the Martian crust. He added that the water likely moved down from the surface billions of years ago when water is believed to have flowed freely on Mars.

geophysics n. 地球物理学

oceanography n. 海洋学

crust n. 地壳

The researchers combined computer models with the seismic data collected by InSight to reach their findings. They said the data showed the water is likely contained in a deep layer of igneous rock beneath the Martian surface. Igneous rock is formed from magma, a very hot liquid rock that has cooled.

igneous adj.（地质）火成的；似火的

magma n. 岩浆；熔岩

Wright and his team recently reported their results in a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

(Q3) In a statement to Reuters news agency, Wright said, “On Earth what we know is where it is wet enough and there are enough sources of energy, there is microbial life very deep in Earth’s subsurface.” He added that the data suggests “the ingredients for life as we know it” may exist in the Martian subsurface.

microbial adj. 微生物的；由微生物引起的

The researchers said the InSight lander operated around the planet’s Elysium Planitia area, near the equator. They believe the area is representative of the rest of Mars. The study suggests enough water exists below the surface to form a planet-wide ocean about 1 to 2 kilometers deep.

Better understanding of Martian water cycles

There is currently no way to confirm the study’s suggested existence of liquid water because it sits so far beneath the Martian surface. (Q4) Such a confirmation would require large drills and other specialized equipment.

(Q5) But Wright said in a statement that for now, researchers can use the newly examined data to gain a better understanding of Martian water cycles. This can help scientists improve their knowledge about the planet’s climate as well as the development of the Martian surface and interior. Wright noted the latest findings could also help guide researchers in where to look for further evidence of possible life forms on Mars.

“I’m inspired and I hope the public is also inspired,” Wright said about the study results. “Humans can work together to put instruments on a planet and try to understand what’s going on there.”

Part III. KEY

Q1. B.细节题。题目出处为“InSight, which landed in 2018, was designed to capture data from within the planet’s interior.”意为：“InSight于2018年着陆，旨在从火星内部收集数据。”因此答案为B。

Q2. B.细节题。题目出处为“Wright told The Associated Press the data suggests liquid water sits between 11 to 20 kilometers down in the Martian crust.”意为：“Wright告诉美联社，数据显示液态水位于火星地壳以下11到20公里处。”因此答案为B。

Q3. C.推理题。题目出处为“In a statement to Reuters news agency, Wright said, ‘On Earth what we know is where it is wet enough and there are enough sources of energy, there is microbial life very deep in Earth’s subsurface.’”意为：“在对路透社的声明中，Wright说，在地球上，我们知道在足够潮湿并且有足够能量来源的地方，在地球的深层存在微生物生命。”由此可推断，地球深层存在微生物生命表明火星也可能存在类似的可能性。因此答案为C。

Q4. D.细节题。题目出处为“Such a confirmation would require large drills and other specialized equipment.”意为：“要确认这个需要大型钻机和其他专业设备。”因此答案为D。

Q5. A.细节题。题目出处为“… researchers can use the newly examined data to gain a better understanding of Martian water cycles. This can help scientists improve their knowledge about the planet’s climate as well as the development of the Martian surface and interior.”意为：“……研究人员可以利用新检测来的数据来更好地了解火星的水循环。这可以帮助科学家们提高对火星气候以及火星表面和内部演化的了解。”因此答案为A。

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