Robotuo

China’s Zhurong rover has uncovered compelling evidence of ancient oceans on Mars, identifying 76 underground sediment layers in Utopia Planitia. These layers, sloping at angles of 6° to 20° (averaging 14.5°), lie at depths of 10 to 35 meters and extend over 1.3 kilometers, resembling Earth’s coastal deposits and pointing to past ocean activity. ^_Source

Published in PNAS, the study strengthens the theory that Mars’ northern lowlands once held vast bodies of water. The sediment structures indicate sustained water-driven transport, ruling out wind or lava-related origins.

This discovery shifts evidence of water from Mars’ extreme poles to its mid-latitudes, where underground ice may exist. It could potentially provide critical resources for future missions and lower exploration costs.