Mars, once a water-rich planet, was home to oceans four billion years ago, according to a new study. Researchers used ground-penetrating radar to detect underground features consistent with ancient beaches and river deltas. The team named the ocean Deuteronilus, which is believed to have existed in a northern sea.
The discovery confirms that Mars did indeed have liquid water on its surface at some point. However, many questions remain, such as how much water was present, where it went, and how long ago it vanished. Geophysicist Michael Manga said that oceans are crucial for climate, shaping planetary surfaces, and potentially hosting life.
The Chinese National Space Administration’s Zhurong Mars rover used ground-penetrating radar to collect data along the Utopia Planitia. The research found thick layers of material sloped upwards towards a shoreline at an angle similar to ancient buried shorelines on Earth. These features suggest a large, liquid ocean with waves and tides.
The discovery bolsters the case for past habitable conditions on Mars, suggesting a place to look for signs of ancient life. Geologist Hai Liu said that coastal environments with water, land, and atmosphere are potentially habitable environments. The team’s research has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, paving the way for further investigation into liquid oceans on Mars.
The presence of sufficient liquid water to fill Mars’ interior reservoirs during its past is also a key finding. However, more research is needed to model and understand these alien waves and tides.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/ancient-beaches-found-on-mars-reveal-the-red-planet-once-had-oceans