20% of the surface of Mars was covered by ocean

After 6 years of research by NASA experts have found new evidence for the existence of ancient Martian ocean about 4, 5 billion. Years ago. Its area was larger than previously estimated. The ocean was in the low-lying plains of the northern hemisphere of Mars for millions of years.





Scientists have found that in the atmosphere of Mars deuterium 8 times larger than the Earth's atmosphere. These measurements allow us to determine how much water is lost in space and how it was originally.
Measurements indicate that ancient Mars had enough water to cover the planet to a depth of 137 meters. They believe that the Red Planet may still have significant reserves of underground water. While this is one of the theories.

Scientists generally agree that the lake existed for millions of years in different places, such as the study rover Curiosity Gale Crater. But no understanding of how the lake replenished, remaining relatively stable for millions of years, it is difficult to explain without the ocean. On the exposed surface of the lake water evaporates quickly and is transferred to the pole.



While climate models can not explain how Mars may have been warm enough in the early period, to keep the water from freezing. Greenhouse gases could make the planet much warmer at some point, but on the surface of Mars has not yet found the reaction products of these gases ... Climate models have great difficulties in the reconstruction of early Mars at a temperature high enough to prevent surface melting and the existence of liquid water. < br />
There are also no clear signs of topographic and geological features associated with the existence of large bodies of water on Earth, such as sea cliffs and shorelines.

Визуализацию ancient ocean can be found in the published video.

Source: geektimes.ru/post/246858/