Also do we have any idea how deep some of the ore is?
Edit:
I can't believe I left this that vague. Iron. I'm talking about iron.
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1$\begingroup$ Hmm... what ore? Has there been any detection of ore? Can you add some information about the ore of which you speak? The more you explain the context of your question, the easier it is to write an answer that you'll find helpful. $\endgroup$– uhohCommented Oct 9, 2017 at 2:39
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$\begingroup$ Sorry about that, updated. $\endgroup$– theBigDreamCommented Oct 9, 2017 at 3:19
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1$\begingroup$ Thanks for the update! I'm wondering if you can mention why you think there is iron ore on Mars. If it's been observed, can you mention how it's known to be there and add a link to where you've seen this observation described? If it's just been suggested, can you mention/add a link to where you've seen it suggested? I think it's very likely that it's there, but just for the purposes of writing a good stackexchange question, it's better to add links or citations to where factual information comes from. It's also just helpful to readers like me who are curious about what's known about Mars. $\endgroup$– uhohCommented Oct 9, 2017 at 4:30
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1$\begingroup$ @uhoh Well, there is the common-sense-driven popular opinion that since Mars is rust-red in color, it must be rich in actual iron deposits. These points aren't really connected from a geology viewpoint, but kinda make sense from an everyman's viewpoint, I guess. $\endgroup$– Danila SmirnovCommented Oct 9, 2017 at 6:26
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2$\begingroup$ @theBigDream While martian dust does have a red color due to iron oxides, that does not point to the existence of iron deposits on Mars. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… $\endgroup$– Danila SmirnovCommented Oct 9, 2017 at 6:29
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1 Answer
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It may depend on how the metal detector has been "tuned" or calibrated.
When looking for gold in a region with a lot red soil that contains iron, metal detectors work better if they are "tuned"/calibrated to find gold.
If you want to look for iron deposits the metal detector may need to be calibrated for iron, but that would be difficult because there are many different types of iron deposits for bog iron ore, which contains about 30% Fe to Hematite, which is 70% Fe.
From what is currently in the public domain, calibrating for the hematite "blueberries" on Mars may be the best option. This could be done on Earth by creating spherules from local hematite, similar in size to those on Mars, and mixing it with various types of iron rich soil and test how various metal detectors respond.
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$\begingroup$ Definite need for calibration of of the metal detector. I built one and spent months wondering why it "wouldn't work" detecting objects on/in the ground. I knew the metal detector worked because it could pick out nails in the house walls. Finally a "light bulb" went off in my head. I lived in a city built on very large ironsand deposits, in the South Taranaki Bight of New Zealand. Such rich ironsand that for 20 years the government made millions selling our worthless earth to Japan who made ships and cars, etc out of it. Duh! - to me. $\endgroup$– Stan HCommented Oct 17, 2017 at 7:29