AN ANCIENT OCEAN ON MARS: NEW STUDY PROVIDES FURTHER EVIDENCE

Context: With the assistance of
China’s Zhurong rover, scientists have gathered fresh evidence that Mars was
home to an ocean billions of years ago — a far cry from the dry and desolate
world it is today. Data obtained by Zhurong, which landed on the northern
lowlands of Mars in 2021, and by orbiting spacecraft, indicated the presence of
geological features indicative of an ancient coastline. The rover analysed rock
on the Martian surface in a location called Utopia Planitia, a large plain in
the planet’s northern hemi-sphere. The reports described surface features such as
troughs, sediment channels, and mud volcano formations indicative of a
coastline, with evidence of both shallow and deeper marine environments.

Key points

·      
Overview: China’s
Zhurong rover, part of the Tianwen-1 Mars mission, has provided compelling
evidence suggesting that Mars harboured an ocean billions of years ago.

·      
Rover and mission details: Rover
- Zhurong (named after a mythical Chinese fire god). Mission - Tianwen-1,
China’s Mars exploration program. Utopia Planitia - A vast plain in Mars’
northern hemisphere where geological features like troughs, sediment channels,
and mud volcano formations were observed.

·      
Significance of discovery: Indicates
the presence of an ancient ocean approximately 3.68 billion years ago, likely
frozen in its latter stages. Supports the theory of a Martian coastline and
varying marine environments, enhancing the possibility of past microbial life. Suggests
Mars transitioned from a hospitable to a cold and dry planet earlier than
previously thought. Furthers understanding of water’s role in Mars’ history and
its implications for habitability.

·      
Recent Discoveries: Geophysicists
have found a colossal hidden ocean beneath Mars' surface, which may contain
enough water to fill oceans on Earth. NASA's InSight lander has provided
seismic data indicating a massive liquid water deposit underground.

·      
Implications for Life: The
presence of ancient oceans raises questions about the potential for life on
Mars, as conditions may have been suitable for microbial life forms. Ongoing
research continues to explore the possibility of life existing in the
subsurface oceans that may still be present today.