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Scientists Map 15,000 Kilometers of Ancient Martian River Channels

The RAS presentation shows rainfall drove long-lived rivers across Noachis Terra on Mars about 3.7 billion years ago.

Credit: NASA/JPL/University of Arizona
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Overview

  • A team used high-resolution CTX, MOLA, and HiRISE data to map more than 15,000 kilometers of inverted fluvial channels in Noachis Terra.
  • Identified sinuous ridges climb tens of meters above the surrounding terrain and extend for hundreds of kilometers, indicating sustained water flow.
  • Spatial patterns suggest stable wet conditions from rainfall rather than brief melting events during the Noachian-Hesperian transition.
  • Lead researcher Adam Losekoot presented the findings at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting with support from the UK Space Agency.
  • The discovery highlights Noachis Terra as a prime target for future missions seeking evidence of ancient Martian habitability.