In a new study, scientists suggest that the best place to look for potential life on Mars is this cauldron shaped hole on the surface of the dry planet known as Hellas. Scientists believe that since this cauldron feature was shaped by volcanic forces under ancient ice, these conditions are perfect for life to potentially thrive.

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According to the lead author of the study, Joseph Levy from the Institute for Geophysics at the University of Texas, Austin, this depression known as North Hellas is an ideal place to search for evidence of past life on Mars.

A meltwater lake is believed to have been present at the site with water, heat, and chemical nutrients are all present, producing temperatures for organisms to thrive and even reproduce.  

The team compared two cauldrons on Mars that both have concentric ring formations. There is also a similar formation on Earth known as ice cauldrons that were also formed from volcanic activity under the surface of the ice.

Scientists have determined that Hellas was most likely formed from melting ice from volcanic heat underneath while the other cauldron known as Galaxias Fossae was formed by an asteroid impact.

 NASA plans to launch its first manned mission to Mars by the 2030s. It will send it next rover under a new space program called Mars 2020.

However, scientists believe that these extreme terrains can be rather challenging for rovers or other vehicles to explore. They are estimated to be more than 1,378 feet deep.

This new study was published in the journal Icarus.