NASA’s Perseverance rover has unearthed conclusive data confirming the existence of ancient lakes on Mars from sediments deposited by water in the Jezero Crater on Mars. The radar observations into the basin by the robotic rover have bolstered the theory of past water bodies and potential microbial life on the Red Planet. The study, led by teams from UCLA and the University of Oslo
and published in Science Advances, analysed subsurface radar data collected by the rover over several months in 2022. The six wheeled Perseverance rover traversed from the crater floor to adjacent sedimentary-like features resembling river deltas seen on Earth. The discovery sets the stage for a closer examination of Jezero’s sediments in the future. The sediments, believed to have formed approximately 3 billion years ago can be studied further once samples are collected and transported to Earth by Perseverance.
Utilising the rover’s RIMFAX radar instrument, scientists obtained subsurface scans, revealing layers of rock up to 65 feet (20 meters) deep, “almost like looking at a road cut,” said UCLA planetary scientist David Paige, one of the authors of the research. These layers unequivocally indicate the deposition of soil sediments by water, mirroring processes observed in terrestrial lake environments. The findings reinforce the possibility of Mars’ warmer, wetter past, in contrast to its cold, arid conditions in the present.
Remote analysis of core samples at sites near Perseverance’s landing site revealed unexpected volcanic rock, instead of the expected sedimentarysuggesting an even more complex geological history than previously thought. These rocks also showed signs of being altered by water exposure, aligning with the narrative of Mars’ wetter past. The RIMFAX radar readings further unveiled evidence of erosion preceding and following
the formation of sedimentary layers, adding nuance to the region’s geological evolution. This convergence of data has provided deep insight into Mars’ geological and hydrological history.