It is believed by scientists that 3.5 billion years ago, Mars experienced the largest flood ever known in the solar system. This excess water was believed to have formed lakes and shallow oceans. If there was so much water, where did it come from, how long did it last and where did it go?
Currently, Mars has extremely cold temperatures while the atmosphere is too thin to allow water to exist in a liquid state on the surface. The only water on the surface of Mars is in a frozen state at the polar ice caps, however, the amount of water required to have formed the deep channels and flood plains does not currently exist on the surface. Much more water was needed to do this, therefore concluding that more water was on the planet in the past. NASA's Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft ponders about possible underground water reserves that may break the surface as springs. The answer can only be found deep beneath the soil.
Polar ice caps on Mars.
Finalizing the discovery of water on Mars is important in regards to the past climate of Mars, which will help us understand how planets were formed, including Earth. Since water is one of the main elements responsible for the existance of life, the evidence of water on the Red Planet will unlock the mystery about present or past life as well as possible life on other planets in the universe. Before mankind can safely travel to Mars, there is still much to know about the environment of Mars, as well as how accessible resources, such as water, can be used.
Forceful abundance of water carved out channels along the planet's surface.
The below link is a short Youtube video about water on Mars for further information.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBam6B9wrdI
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