Overview

• Researchers used digital simulations to compare precipitation and ice-melt scenarios for Mars' ancient valley networks.
• The precipitation model aligned more closely with observed valley head elevations, suggesting widespread rain and snow billions of years ago.
• NASA's Perseverance rover found evidence in Jezero Crater, such as large boulders, that indicates meters-deep flowing water shaped the landscape.
• The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, highlights similarities between Mars' wet past and early Earth’s environment.
• Questions remain about how Mars sustained warm, wet conditions under a faint young Sun, leaving the climate debate unresolved.