According to sources at the Wuhan University of Geosciences, Chinese researchers have discovered direct evidence proving the existence of an ancient ocean on the northern plains of Mars.
Previous studies had found evidence for the presence of large amounts of liquid on early Mars, but claims on the matter remained controversial due to a lack of in situ analysis.
A research team led by Xiao Long, a professor at the university, analyzed scientific data from the Zhurong Mars rover’s multispectral camera and found petrological evidence of marine sedimentary rocks on the planet’s surface for the first time, according to an article published in the journal Science. . In National Science Review.
“When we looked at the images from the camera on the rover, we found that the bed structures
The exposed rocks are quite different from the volcanic rocks common on the surface of Mars, as they are
“The bed structures created by the wind’s sand,” Xiao said.
The bidirectional flow characteristics indicated by the knowledge of the beds were consistent with low-energy tidal flows in Earth’s coastal-marine ocean environment, the scientist said.
The results of the study have provided direct support for theories of the existence of an ancient Martian ocean.
