Kerala University team pins Martian analogue sites in Tamil Nadu and Chile

What the discovery is

Indian researchers have pinpointed two hydrous sulphate minerals – melanterite in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu, and gypsum in both the Atacama Desert of Chile and the Tiruchirappalli Badlands of Tamil Nadu – as close terrestrial analogues of Martian rocks. Both minerals record water‑rock interactions: melanterite forms under short‑lived, acidic and oxidising wet conditions, while gypsum preserves evidence of longer‑lasting aqueous environments.

Where the sites are

• Neyveli, Tamil Nadu – the team detected melanterite in the lignite‑rich belt that surrounds the town.
• Tiruchirappalli Badlands, Tamil Nadu – gypsum outcrops were sampled in the semi‑arid, paleoclimatic terrain.
• Atacama Desert, Chile – classic hyper‑arid landscapes yielded gypsum deposits that mirror the mineralogy seen from orbit around Mars.

How the work was done

The identification relied on a laser Raman spectrometer housed in the Department of Geology’s DST‑FIST facility. The instrument’s high‑precision spectral fingerprinting confirmed the minerals’ composition, a step the researchers say is essential because orbital data alone cannot fully characterise Martian surfaces.

Why it matters for Mars research

By establishing Earth sites that replicate Martian mineralogy, the study offers concrete field locations for testing hypotheses about past water activity and potential habitability on the Red Planet. The team argues that such analogue sites can guide future rover missions to the most promising zones for biosignature detection.

Publication and next steps

The results appear in two papers in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, published on 20 October 2026. The researchers plan to extend the search for extreme‑environment analogues across other continents, aiming to refine models of primitive life and to support India’s upcoming planetary missions.

Broader significance

The achievement showcases India’s growing capacity in planetary science, linking domestic geological expertise with global astrobiology goals. It also highlights the value of university‑level infrastructure, such as the DST‑FIST funded Raman lab, in delivering research that contributes to the nation’s space ambition.