A team of researchers has discovered evidence of ancient sandy beaches on Mars, shedding light on the planet’s potential habitability. The study, published in January 2023, analyzed data from the Chinese Zhurong rover and found geological structures similar to those on Earth, which suggest the presence of waves and a dynamic interface between air and water.
The researchers used ground-penetrating radar to explore underground rock layers in Utopia Planitia, an area of Mars believed to have hosted large bodies of water. The data revealed formations shaped by water currents, including downward-sloping “foreshore deposits” that align with those on Earth.
“This suggests there were waves, which means there was a dynamic interface of air and water,” said Benjamin Cardenas, a geologist at Pennsylvania State University. The study’s findings support previous research suggesting Mars once had a giant ocean and potentially habitable environments.
The discovery provides insight into the evolution of Mars’ landscape over time, with rivers flowing, sediment moving, and land being built and eroded. This type of sedimentary geology can help identify potential sites for past life, making ancient Martian beaches prime targets for future missions to search for signs of microbial life.
Source: https://gizmodo.com/billions-of-years-ago-mars-featured-beaches-fit-for-a-vacation-astronomers-say-2000568051