A wide and relatively flat belt of relief – a continental shelf – is visible in Mars' northern hemisphere.
Sedimentological and mineralogical evidence of sedimentary rocks, argillaceous stratigraphy, and open-basin deltas along and within the identified shelf. a, b — polar stereographic projections of the identified shelf, showing 14,386 elevations interpreted as formations that arose from the retreat of the "Martian dichotomy boundary". These structures consist of layered sedimentary deposits up to 500 m thick in the southern part of Chryse Planitia. Also noted are widespread clay layers and open-basin deltas associated with the hypothesized ancient water system. Source: Zaki, A.S., Lamb, M.P. Nature (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10381-2
The Red Planet might once have been not at all as dry and lifeless as it is now. Researchers from the California Institute of Technology have discovered geological structures on Mars that indicate the existence of a vast ancient ocean. It could have covered up to a third of the planet's surface, writes Nature.
Scientists analyzed data from Martian orbiters and found a wide and relatively flat belt of relief – a continental shelf – in Mars' Northern Hemisphere.
A similar structure on Earth forms around oceans. The scale of the discovered belt corresponds to a possible ancient ocean that existed for millions of years, or even longer.
But that's not all. Additional evidence came from the deltas of ancient rivers, which coincide with the hypothesized shelf line.
Previously, they were not considered key evidence, but now they combine disparate signs into a single picture.
-
Back to pen and paper and smartphone ban: universities are forced to change the format of classes and tests, otherwise AI prevents both teaching and assessment
-
Google launched Gemini 3.5 Transcribe for speech transcription. Belarusian is on the list
-
Tim Cook steps down as Apple CEO after 15 years of leadership
Now reading
Natalia Kalegova spoke about helping Belarusian refugees, her family, her attitude towards Tsikhanouskaya. And explained who "beavers" and "hares" are 42
Natalia Kalegova spoke about helping Belarusian refugees, her family, her attitude towards Tsikhanouskaya. And explained who "beavers" and "hares" are
Back to pen and paper and smartphone ban: universities are forced to change the format of classes and tests, otherwise AI prevents both teaching and assessment 1111
Comments
Што перш за ўсё павінны зрабіць Маск ? Разагрэць плянэту...