Scientists have discovered new evidence of the existence of a large amount of water on Mars in the past
Scientists have discovered thousands of hills and mounds on Mars, which consist of layers of clay minerals. They were formed as a result of the interaction of rocks with water that once flowed on the surface of the planet. About this informs Space.
This discovery is related to the period when there was an ancient ocean in the north of Mars. The study shows that the climate of Mars nearly 4 billion years ago was very different, with plenty of liquid water on its surface.
The two hemispheres of the Red Planet are quite different: the southern consists of ancient highlands, while the northern consists of low-lying plains that have been affected by erosion. It is believed that there was once an ocean on these plains. Scientists already have plenty of evidence for rivers, lakes, seas, and possibly oceans on Mars around 4 billion years ago.
Mounds consist of layers of clay minerals, which are formed as a result of long-term interaction of liquid water with rocks. These layers suggest that a vast body of water, probably an ocean, may have existed in the north of Mars. Under the clay layers, scientists discovered older rocks, and above them – younger rocks that do not contain clay. This indicates an era when there was liquid water on the surface of the planet, between 4.2 and 3.7 billion years ago.
The Rosalind Franklin rover is planned to land in this region in 2028. Its mission is to confirm whether an ocean existed on Mars and to investigate whether it could have the conditions for extraterrestrial life.
