Study Finds Martian Landscape Shaped By Flooded Crater Lakes, Overflowing Was More Common Than Previously Thought

A new study has said that massive floods on Mars played a crucial role in shaping the landscape. Past studies have said that water was in the liquid state on Mars before the planet dried up. The planet hosted lakes similar to Earth’s. The University of Texas researchers said that water overflowed crater lakes on Mars. This overflowing of water designed the landscape the way it appears today. Water carved deep chasms on the surface. This landscape-changing activity happened persistently on the Red Planet for a long time. Overflowing of water even eroded sediment in Lake Superior and Lake Ontario.

Researchers said that such flooding was more common on Red Planet than previously assumed. It has even more craters than Earth. It means that the Red Planet was very wet and crater lakes were very common. Researchers said that the Martian lakes breached the crater walls due to the overflowing of water. This caused floods on the surface. The surrounding landscapes were flooded. The study included more than 260 craters lakes that breached their wall. Researchers then linked the data of valleys connected to a crater breach. They found that valleys were formed away from craters while craters took shape when lakes were flooded. Researchers said that the findings give hope to human efforts to find a source of water on Mars.

Water is an essential element for life to habitat. The findings are also an indication that the Red Planet hosted life. Scientists are already searching for possible signs of microbial life on the planet. Mars today has no water in the liquid form on its surface. Studies of Martian meteorites almost four decades ago established that Earth’s neighbor was once water-rich. But the planet was dried up due to continuous climate change. The Martian atmosphere is very thin today and most composed of CO2. NASA’s missions have sent several photos of Martian landscapes. These images have been marked by river valleys and flood channels.