Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have found new evidence that a huge ocean existed on the surface of Mars about 3.5 billion years ago. Apparently, it covered hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of the Red Planet. Scientists came to this conclusion by creating a topography of the coastline from satellite images of the Martian surface. In their opinion, it has characteristic distinctive features. This is especially noticeable when the pictures are taken from different angles.
The researchers were able to map over 6,500 km of exposed river ranges. They are most likely eroded river deltas or submarine channel belts. Scientists usually do this on the earth’s surface, this is the science of stratigraphy. They are mapping the history of waterways by observing the deposits that have been deposited over time, and the same is observed on Mars.
Using data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter collected in 2007, the team of researchers analyzed the thickness, shape and slope of the ridges in the Aeolis Dorsa region. It seems that once upon a time great changes took place in this part of the planet, as evidenced by the traces of a significant rise in sea levels and the rapid movement of rocks by rivers and currents. Today, this site contains the most concentrated collection of river ranges on Mars.
The first thing that immediately comes to mind is that the existence of an ocean of this size means a higher potential for life. It also speaks to the ancient climate of Mars and its evolution. Based on these findings, scientists speculate that the Red Planet had a period when it was warm enough and the atmosphere was thick enough to support that much water.
There are huge areas all over Mars that could be river ranges. Scientists have created a virtual model and simulated the process of their development. The result turned out to be surprisingly similar to the current shape of the Red Planet’s landscape.
Source: Trash Box

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