Researchers at the Shimizu Institute in Japan believe it is possible to terraform Mars by making use of the planet’s own resources and by introducing genetically altered life fromEarth. They hope these actions will speed up the terraforming process, not just by adapting Mars to supportEarth-life, but also by adaptingEarthlife to exist on Mars. These experts think they can use the Martian geology itself to jump-start the planet. The theory is that detonation of thermonuclear devices deep in the Martian mountains will trigger eruptions of hot magma that would melt the frozen atmosphere, thereby releasing the components necessary for life.