Scientists have discovered evidence of ancient riverbeds on Mars, spanning approximately 16,000 kilometers in the Noachis Terra region. This finding, based on high-resolution images from NASA's Mars orbiters, suggests that Mars may have had a wetter climate than previously believed.
The research team identified fluvial sinuous ridges, indicating the presence of flowing water in the past. These structures are formed by the remnants of sediments carried by ancient rivers, which emerged as the surrounding softer ground eroded away. Some are only a few hundred meters wide and a few kilometers long, but much larger ones are also found.
Adam Losekoot, a member of the team, noted the surprising nature of the findings, stating that the evidence suggests not only the presence of water but also its widespread distribution across the region. According to Losekoot, the only thing that could feed such an extensive river network would be rainfall or snowfall on a regional scale.
The images show two rivers flowing into a crater and then overflowing from the other side, suggesting a sustained water flow. The river traces indicate that Mars had a much warmer and wetter climate about 3.7 billion years ago. This period suggests that not only water currents but also large water masses may have existed on the planet's surface.
Over time, Mars' atmosphere thinned as its magnetic field weakened, causing the water on the planet's surface to evaporate and dissipate into space. However, some traces of water may have remained hidden to this day. Another study in April suggested that there may be a large water reservoir hidden deep beneath the surface of Mars. This discovery provides a deeper understanding of Mars' past climate and water and offers important clues for future explorations.