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Scientists Discover Evidence of Ancient Ocean on Mars

4/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists identify Martian features suggesting a long-dried ocean once covered about one-third of the planet.
Evidence includes a coastal shelf like Earth's continental shelves and river deltas aligned with a 'bathtub ring'.
Abdallah Zaki and Michael Lamb say any Mars ocean would have dried up billions of years ago.
The findings were published in Nature, underscoring the need for further exploration to confirm implications for past Martian life.

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Story summary

Scientists identify Martian features suggesting a long-dried ocean once covered about one-third of the planet.
Evidence includes a coastal shelf like Earth's continental shelves and river deltas aligned with a 'bathtub ring'.
Abdallah Zaki and Michael Lamb say any Mars ocean would have dried up billions of years ago.
The findings were published in Nature, underscoring the need for further exploration to confirm implications for past Martian life.