Discovery of a 3 Billion-Year-Old Beach on Mars Unveiled by Zhurong Rover

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Scientists have discovered evidence of a 3 billion-year-old beach on Mars, based on data collected by China's Zhurong rover. A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) reveals features consistent with ancient coastal deposits, providing insight into the planet's water history. The team, led by Jianhui Li from Guangzhou University, analyzed data from Utopia Planitia, where the rover was active between 2021 and 2022. The findings challenge the understanding of Mars' dry history and suggest stable surface water may have persisted longer than previously thought.

The study employed ground-penetrating radar to investigate sedimentary structures aligned with the characteristics of Earth’s oceanic deposits. According to researchers, the evidence indicates the presence of a significant ocean that potentially covered the northern hemisphere of Mars, known as the Late Hesperian ocean. This discovery may suggest the existence of habitable environments on Mars much later in its geological timeline, potentially extending to recent periods, as stated by Aaron J. Cavosie, a senior lecturer at Curtin University.

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