Mars may have had a vast ocean, possibly larger than Earth’s Arctic Ocean, according to new research. Previous studies hinted at rivers and seas on the planet, sparking curiosity about its potential to support life. Yet, the exact nature of Mars’ past remains unclear.
Researchers used high-resolution images from missions including ESA’s ExoMars and NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to explore Mars’ landscape. “These instruments are like a geological time machine, helping us glimpse Mars’ history,” said Ignatius Argadestya, a planetary geologist at the University of Bern.
The focus was on Coprates Chasma, part of Valles Marineris, the largest canyon system on Mars. Here, scientists examined geological formations called scarp-faced deposits. These formations remind us of fan deltas on Earth, where rivers meet oceans. While the Martian surface is now mostly covered in wind-sculpted dunes, the original contours are still visible.
All these deposits were found at similar elevations, around 12,000 feet, and date back approximately 3.37 billion years. The researchers believe these formations are evidence that Mars had an ancient shoreline, suggesting that the northern hemisphere may once have held an ocean.
Argadestya emphasized that Mars might have maintained stable surface water for longer than we previously thought. “Water may have flowed across great distances, not just in isolated lakes,” he explained. This challenges earlier ideas about the planet’s water history.
This isn’t the first time scientists have proposed the existence of an ocean on Mars. However, this study offers new geological evidence to help locate where its shoreline might have been and how high the water level could have reached.
As research continues, scientists plan to study Mars’ ancient soils to understand more about erosion caused by water. These insights could greatly enhance our knowledge of the planet’s past.
For more information on this research, you can check the detailed findings published in the journal npj Space Exploration.
