Zhurong, a rover from China, has returned new evidence supporting the theory that Mars may have been home to a vast ocean, a study indicated.
The research, which was published in the journal Nature, revealed that there are signs of an ancient coastline in the Utopia region, in the northern hemisphere of Mars, where the vehicle landed in 2021.
For some decades now, the theory that an ocean covered up to a third of the surface of Mars billions of years ago has remained a topic of debate among scientists.
According to Bo Wu, lead author of the study from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, several findings were found such as “cones with holes, polygonal grooves and traces of flows,” which suggest the presence of water in the area where Zhurong explores.
While previous research highlights that these pitted cones, similar to craters, emerged from mud volcanoes, which often form in areas where there was water or ice.
According to researchers, this ocean could have emerged about 3.7 billion years ago due to major floods, before disappearing about 3.4 billion years ago.
However, Bo emphasized that the research “does not claim that its findings definitively prove that there was an ocean on Mars.” Given the conclusions, Benjamin Cardenas, an analyst of other theories, was “skeptical.”
“We tend to think of Mars as a not very active place, like the Moon, but it is active!” “Even low rates of Martian erosion” would destroy signs of a coastline over such a long period, Cardenas stressed.
Cardenas mentioned that the existence of a Martian ocean could have significant implications for the search for life on other planets. ”Most scientists think that life on Earth arose either under the ocean, where hot gases and minerals from the subsurface reached the seafloor, or very close to the point of contact between water and air,” he concluded.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Dr. Emily Chen, Planetary Geologist
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Chen! Thank you for joining us today. The recent findings from China’s Zhurong rover are truly fascinating. Can you give us a brief overview of what the research revealed about Mars’ ancient coastline?
Dr. Emily Chen: Thank you for having me! Yes, the study published in Nature shines new light on the history of Mars. It indicates that the Utopia region, where Zhurong landed, has characteristics consistent with an ancient coastline, suggesting that large bodies of water may have once existed on the Martian surface, potentially covering up to a third of it.
Time.news Editor: That’s astonishing! If Mars indeed had vast oceans, what implications does this have for our understanding of the planet’s history and its potential for past life?
Dr. Emily Chen: Great question! If Mars had oceans, it would mean that the planet may have had a more hospitable environment billions of years ago. This raises intriguing possibilities regarding the existence of microbial life. Water is a fundamental ingredient for life as we know it, and finding evidence of ancient coastlines supports the idea that Mars was not always the dry, inhospitable place we see today.
Time.news Editor: Does this new evidence challenge existing theories about Mars, or does it align with previous research?
Dr. Emily Chen: It largely supports and extends existing theories. For decades, scientists have hypothesized about the presence of water on Mars based on various observations, including certain mineral formations and sedimentary structures. The findings from Zhurong serve as compelling evidence that could help refine our models of Mars’ geological history and its climatic evolution.
Time.news Editor: What are the next steps for researchers in light of these findings? Are there plans for further exploration of the Utopia region or other areas of Mars?
Dr. Emily Chen: Absolutely! Ongoing and future missions will focus on further exploring the Utopia region and other potentially rich areas. The findings from Zhurong will help direct rover missions, lander technology, and satellite imagery analysis. Moreover, there’s a strong push for sample return missions that could bring Martian materials back to Earth for detailed laboratory studies.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of future exploration, how does this discovery influence the broader goals of Mars exploration, particularly in the search for extraterrestrial life?
Dr. Emily Chen: This discovery refines our search criteria. Knowing that Mars may have once supported vast oceans encourages us to focus on regions where liquid water was likely to be stable for extended periods. It makes the search for biosignatures more targeted, and it could also affect where we consider landing future missions that aim to explore deeper questions about habitability.
Time.news Editor: As someone who’s been studying Mars for years, how does it feel to witness these groundbreaking findings impacting our understanding of the planet?
Dr. Emily Chen: It’s an exhilarating time for planetary science! Every discovery adds a new layer to our understanding of Mars. It’s like piecing together a complex puzzle, and with each new finding, we come closer to answering some of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe? Could life have thrived on another planet? The excitement in the field is palpable.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much for your insights, Dr. Chen! We look forward to following the developments from Mars and seeing how these discoveries unfold in the coming years.
Dr. Emily Chen: Thank you for having me! I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.