Chinese scientists have discovered new evidence suggesting that Mars' northern hemisphere was once covered by a vast ocean, a discovery that could transform our understanding of the Red Planet's history.
The potential ocean may have spread over nearly one-third of Mars' surface, raising intriguing questions about the planet's capacity to support life.
China's Zhurong rover, launched as part of the Tianwen-1 mission, has been exploring Mars since landing in Utopia Planitia in May 2021. Located in Mars' northern lowlands, Utopia Planitia is part of a massive impact crater spanning over 2,000 miles.
Scientists believe this region may have held an ocean approximately 3.7 billion years ago, a theory supported by recent findings from the Zhurong mission.
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Chinese Rover Finds Evidence of Ancient Shorelines on Mars
The study, led by Hong Kong Polytechnic University scientist Bo Wu, involved analyzing both rock samples and surface features observed by Zhurong. Supplemented by satellite data, the research team identified several landscape features consistent with ancient shorelines.
They observed "pitted cones," which are cone-shaped formations that may have resulted from mud volcanoes, structures that often form where water or ice was once present. Additionally, other patterns, like polygonal troughs, suggest cycles of freezing and thawing, possibly caused by subsurface water.
In the study, published in Scientific Reports, Wu emphasized the importance of these findings, which point toward the existence of a "nearshore zone" in southern Utopia, indicating various marine environments on ancient Mars. However, he acknowledged that more direct analysis of Martian rocks would be needed to definitively confirm an ocean on the planet.
While the research has attracted attention, it also sparked some skepticism. Pennsylvania State University scientist Benjamin Cardenas cautioned that Mars' terrain has been shaped by billions of years of wind and other factors, which could complicate interpretations of surface features. However, he noted, "I tend to think there was an ocean on Mars," showing that the ocean theory continues to hold ground.
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