NEW YORK: New research suggests that Mars once had vast oceans with sandy beaches, shaped by wind and waves. A team of international scientists analysed data from China’s Zhurong rover and found evidence of ancient shorelines, supporting theories of a water-rich Martian past.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the US National Academy of Sciences, details findings from Utopia Planitia, where Zhurong landed in 2021. Researchers from the US and China examined geological data collected by the rover’s radar instruments, revealing layered sedimentary deposits similar to those found on Earth’s coastlines.
Benjamin Cardenas, Assistant Professor of Geology at Penn State, described the discovery as remarkable. “We’re finding places on Mars that used to look like ancient beaches and river deltas,” he said. “We found evidence for wind, waves, and lots of sand—a proper, vacation-style beach.”
The researchers noted that while past studies have suggested Mars once had liquid water, the extent and fate of this water remain unclear. However, their findings strongly indicate that a vast ocean once covered the northern plains. The sediment layers sloping towards what would have been a large body of water further support this hypothesis.
Cardenas explained that detecting these sloped deposits was a breakthrough. “This stood out to us immediately because it suggests there were waves, meaning a dynamic interaction between air and water.”
Michael Manga from the University of California, Berkeley, highlighted the significance of the discovery. “Zhurong’s ground-penetrating radar lets us see beneath the surface, providing insights that were previously impossible. These advancements in technology are unlocking incredible new information about Mars.”
With growing evidence of Mars’ watery past, scientists continue exploring whether the planet once harboured life.
