Recent satellite imagery has unveiled thousands of mysterious mounds on Mars, providing conclusive evidence that the planet once experienced a wetter past. The high-resolution images and spectral composition data from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiters, European Space Agency’s Mars Express, and ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter reveal layers of clay minerals in these geological formations.
According to Dr. Joe McNeil of the Natural History Museum, the mounds’ rich deposits indicate that liquid water flowed across Mars’ surface nearly four billion years ago. This finding suggests a dramatically different Martian climate in the distant past and may shed light on the planet’s ancient geology.
Located near Mawrth Vallis, the mounds are up to 1,640 feet high and composed of layered deposits containing up to 1,150 feet of clay minerals. The researchers believe these formations were shaped by water erosion, potentially leaving behind evidence of an ancient northern ocean on Mars.
The discovery also raises questions about Mars’ potential for supporting life. As the European Space Agency’s Rosalind Franklin rover prepares to launch in 2028, the mounds are considered a prime location for future exploration. By studying these Martian formations, scientists hope to unlock secrets about early Earth and its own geological history.
Source: https://petapixel.com/2025/01/29/satellite-imagery-shows-huge-mounds-on-mars-that-could-unlock-secret-history