Mars' ancient ocean: Evidence suggests a watery past
Chinese scientists have hypothesised that a vast ocean might once have existed on the surface of Mars. This further proves that the Red Planet was not always a barren desert. Scientists say the ocean could have existed approximately 3.68 billion years ago.
In 2021, China successfully sent the rover Zhurong to Mars, designed for detailed exploration of the planet's surface. Foreign media report that Zhurong discovered evidence of an ancient coastline in the Utopia Planitia region.
This discovery suggests that billions of years ago, a vast ocean might have stretched across the northern lowlands of Mars. The rover's data, supported by satellite imagery, reveal geological formations resembling sedimentary channels and riverbeds, typical structures for coastal areas on Earth.
According to scientists, this ocean could have existed around 3.68 billion years ago before gradually freezing and disappearing about 260 million years later. They estimate that even the shallower areas of this oceanic body could have been up to 600 metres deep, indicating its immense size.
Life on Mars. Further research is necessary
Confirming the existence of such an extensive ocean on Mars provides strong reasons to believe that this planet once had conditions suitable for simple life forms, such as microorganisms. This also indicates a more dynamic history of Mars than previously thought.
This discovery has sparked great interest among scientists but also emphasises the need for continued research. Future missions to Mars could facilitate a more detailed examination of the ancient ocean's geological remnants, allowing for a more precise determination of the water's chemical composition and the environmental conditions that prevailed on Mars billions of years ago.
Further studies may not only confirm these theories but also reveal how long water could have persisted on the surface and the chances of development of any potential life forms there.
