Scientists have discovered evidence of buried beaches on Mars, providing fresh insights into the planet’s past habitability. The discovery was made using data from China’s Zhurong rover, which analyzed below-ground imaging data from southern Utopia Planitia.
Researchers found features in the subsurface material that are tilted towards the lowland direction, similar to those observed at shorelines on Earth using ground-penetrating radar. These features suggest that Mars once had oceans and tides, with evidence of a beach growing out into the ocean at least 1.3 kilometers north.
The findings rule out other explanations for the structure, including volcanic activity, rivers, and wind-blown sand dunes. The discovery has significant implications for understanding Mars’ past habitability and potentially sending future missions to search for signs of life.
Lead researcher Dr. Benjamin Cardenas notes that the Martian shoreline would be vastly different from those on Earth, with no palm trees or gulls, but still holds promise for answering questions about the Red Planet’s history. The discovery marks an exciting step forward in unraveling Mars’ mysteries and potentially unlocking its secrets.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/24/mars-ocean-sandy-beaches-radar-data-suggests