Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have recorded traces of an ancient northern ocean on Mars. The results are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.The outlines of the ancient ocean were discovered thanks to new topographic maps of the planet. With these data, it was possible to distinguish more than 6,500 kilometers of ridges grouped into 20 systems. It is stated that these structures are actually the deltas of ancient rivers, underwater channels and the remains of coastlines.
May be key for sign of life on Mars
Observations show that the topography is about 3.5 billion years old and has a sedimentary layer of at least 900 meters covering hundreds of thousands of square meters. The results show that the planet was once home to rising ocean levels, which corresponded to a climate of prolonged hot and wet weather unlike what exists today.
Scientists believe that this area with huge sediment layers could be the key region for signs or traces of life on Mars.
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