Thousands of mysterious mounds on Mars, located in the Chryse Planitia region, are shedding light on the planet’s ancient water history. Stretching across an area larger than Texas, these formations, which resemble Earth’s Monument Valley buttes, may hold the key to understanding Mars’ past. A new study published on January 20 in Nature Geoscience suggests the mounds were shaped by water erosion 4 billion years ago, offering crucial insights into Mars’ ancient geography and hydrology.
The mounds’ clay-rich layers indicate that liquid water once flowed across the planet’s surface, creating chemical reactions with rocks. The findings also hint at the possibility of an ancient northern ocean, fueling ongoing debates among scientists. Positioned near the planned landing site for the ESA’s ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover in 2028, these mounds may soon be investigated, potentially unlocking further mysteries of Mars’ past and its capacity for life.
