China’s Zhurong rover has provided ground-penetrating radar data revealing what appears to be ancient Martian beaches, adding to the growing evidence that Mars once had a large ocean called Deuteronilus.
Key Findings
- Radar detected buried layers (10-35 meters deep) resembling sand deposits.
- Sloped formations suggest ancient shorelines, much like Earth’s beaches.
- Located in Utopia Planitia, a vast northern Martian plain.
- Ocean likely existed 3.5-4 billion years ago, when Mars had a warmer climate.
- Some water may have escaped into space, while much remains trapped underground.
Why This Matters?
- Supports theories that Mars had liquid water, essential for life.
- Raises the possibility that microbial life could have once thrived in Martian seas.
- Boosts future exploration efforts targeting water-rich regions.
(Source: DD News)
