Study reveals evidence suggesting the existence of an ancient ocean on Mars

A recent scientific study conducted by Professor Michael Lamb of the California Institute of Technology and researcher Abdellah Zaki from the University of Texas has uncovered evidence of a continental shelf, suggesting the existence of an ancient ocean on Mars. This conclusion is based on computer simulations and laser data provided by NASA, aiming to find more conclusive proof beyond simple shoreline traces.

In a statement to CNN, Lamb explained that the shoreline observed since the 1970s through the Viking missions lacks consistency in elevation. He suggested that volcanic activity may have deformed the Martian crust. He also noted that the new findings represent pieces of a puzzle pointing to the presence of an ocean, even if they do not perfectly match Earth’s continental shelves.

In this context, the two researchers emphasized that the long-term persistence of an ocean would require a large geological structure such as a continental shelf. This hypothesis is supported by discoveries made by China’s Zhurong rover in 2021, which identified ancient beaches in the northern plains. Meanwhile, NASA data indicates that some water remains trapped in ice caps and beneath the surface, although much of it escaped into space due to the thinning of the atmosphere.

The Rosalind Franklin mission of the European Space Agency, scheduled for launch in 2028, is expected to help settle this scientific debate by studying geological layers to better understand the history of the Red Planet and its potential to support life in the future.