Astronomy Bernese research team discovers evidence of an ocean on Mars
A research team from the University of Bern has discovered traces of rivers on Mars. They thus provide evidence that the planet was once covered by a large ocean.
12.01.2026, 14:51
12.01.2026, 14:52
SDA
Specifically, the international research team led by the University of Bern used images from Mars probes to discover geological structures that resemble river deltas. They report this in a study published in the journal "npj space exploration".
"The structures that we were able to identify on the images are clearly the mouth of a river into an ocean," study leader Fritz Schlunegger was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the university on Monday.
Today, the former delta structures are covered by wind-sculpted dunes, but their original shape is still clearly recognizable, according to the researchers.
The delta structures discovered are all at a similar height. This enabled the team to reconstruct the sea level and a coastline at that time. The results show that the ocean was at least the size of the Arctic Ocean on Earth and stretched across the northern hemisphere of the planet.
Previous studies had already pointed to an ocean, but were based on less precise data or indirect arguments, according to the researchers. The new reconstruction, on the other hand, is based on clear evidence, according to the researchers.
The results of the study indicate that the ocean covered a large part of the northern hemisphere of Mars and was at least the size of the Arctic Ocean on Earth. Previous studies had already pointed to an ocean, but were based on less precise data or indirect arguments, according to the researchers. The study dates the highest water level on Mars to around three billion years ago
Life-friendly conditions
According to the scientists, the discovery confirms that conditions on Mars could once have been conducive to the development of life.
"We know Mars as a dry, red planet. However, our results show that it was a blue planet in the past," said Ignatius Argadestya, first author of the study, according to the university. This also shows how precious water is on a planet and that it can disappear.
