The discovery of a potential ancient ocean on Mars has profound implications for the ever-evolving search for extraterrestrial life. Liquid water is considered one of the essential prerequisites for life, and the existence of a vast ocean significantly increases the possibility that primitive life forms could have once inhabited the Red Planet.

By James WoodfordA possible ancient shoreline has been found in the region of Mars explored by the Chinese rover Zhurong, providing further evidence that an ocean may once have covered a vast area of the lowlands in the planet’s northern hemisphere.

The evidence found by the rover includes traces of beaches that may have been adjacent to water, as well as geological features indicative of an ancient coastline in the region.

Chinese scientists have hypothesised that a vast ocean might once have existed on the surface of Mars. This further proves that the Red Planet was not always a barren desert. Scientists say the ocean could have existed approximately 3.