Zhurong Rover Finds Ancient Martian Beaches, Hints at Past Oceans

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Evidence of ancient beaches beneath the surface of Mars was discovered by China's Zhurong Rover.

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Sediment layers up to 35 meters thick were discovered using ground-penetrating radar.

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Scientists believe these structures mirror the shorelines of Earth.

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Large oceans may have existed on Mars billions of years ago, as suggested by the discovered features.

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The best places to look for ancient microbial life are along these ancient shorelines.

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These beaches probably formed under warmer conditions on Mars.

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This discovery strengthens theories about ancient Mars' habitability.

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The data is still being examined by researchers at UC Berkeley and Penn State.

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The beaches on Mars were chilly and desolate, unlike Earth's warm, lively shores.

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[{"selector":"#anim-de415075-3ea5-41ae-b796-e86d57636f29","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9dac6c33-7e15-4316-9bb8-20145872b53d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0df80634-8243-4b02-8571-fac9bd93b3cd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.50152%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55c53f3d-fd20-494b-b20a-38608bfd7925","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e7308f6e-f670-449b-859d-7a9b8033ecdc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.23810%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":700,"duration":3000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Asteroid-Carved Moon Canyons Deeper Than Grand Canyon Learn more