Today , Ceres appear to be a geologically inactive body , with a surface sculpted only by impacts . The presence of significant amounts of water ice in its composition raise the possibility that Ceres have or had a layer of liquid water in its interior . This hypothetical layer is often called an ocean . If such a layer of liquid water exist , it is hypothesized to be located between the rocky core and ice mantle like that of the theorized ocean on Europa . The existence of an ocean is more likely if solutes ( i.e. salts ) , ammonia , sulfuric acid or other antifreeze compounds are dissolved in the water .