What significant water ice discovery was made on Mars and why is it important for future human missions?

Researchers from the Planetary Science Institute discovered a large water ice reservoir in the Nereida Montes region of Mars. The findings reveal that one of these viscous flow features is approximately 500 meters thick and nearly 100% ice with a debris covering. This reservoir could represent one of the most significant concentrations of ice outside Mars' polar regions in the southern hemisphere. Since water is substantial and difficult to transport through space, this discovery is crucial for future human missions to Mars, potentially providing the water necessary to sustain life on the planet without having to bring it from Earth.