Astronomers Discover Traces of an Ancient Martian Ocean on the Slopes of Olympus Mons
The escarpments indicate that the ocean would have filled in a depression around Olympus Mons. Similar features are found on the northern flank of another Martian volcano, Alba Mons, suggesting the extent of the ancient ocean.
Astronomers have identified traces of an ancient ocean on Mars in new satellite images. This ocean is believed to have once surrounded Olympus Mons, a Martian volcano and the tallest mountain in the solar system, standing at 16 miles (25 km) tall. The ocean is estimated to have been nearly 4 miles (6 km) deep, making it an incredible find.
The evidence for this ancient ocean comes in the form of towering cliffs or escarpments that encircle Olympus Mons. These escarpments bear the signature of forming when lava flowing down the volcano met deep ocean waters. This phenomenon likely occurred around 3.7 to 3.4 billion years ago.
The escarpments indicate that the ocean would have filled in a depression around Olympus Mons. Similar features are found on the northern flank of another Martian volcano, Alba Mons, suggesting the extent of the ancient ocean.
This discovery provides planetary scientists with further insights into Mars' watery history and how geological processes shaped the planet's landscape over billions of years. If Mars was ever habitable, this finding sheds light on the environment's transformation and the potential end of habitability on the planet.