[Johnny_Cipher]

If the satellite photos are correct, water is present just below the surface of this crater. Thus, the mud.

Mud with an average surface temperature of -60C? Even the garden spots on the planet reach no higher than about -8C. If its mud, then its a compound like nothing I've ever cleaned off my boots.

[RightWhale]

Mars needs geologists, but even more important, it needs chemists. The materials are there and need to be remade into something a settlement could use.