The findings overturn the long-held theory that most of the red planet’s water escaped into the cosmos due to Mars’ low gravity levels.
This image made available by NASA shows the planet Mars. This composite photo was created from over 100 images of Mars taken by Viking Orbiters in the 1970s. (NASA via AP)
(CN) The numerous, abundant bodies of water that once dotted Mars’ surface billions of years ago have vanished but scientists believe the desert world is storing up to 99% of its water in the planet’s crust, according to a NASA-funded study released Tuesday.
The red planet’s ancient water system once held enough water to cover Mars entirely in an ocean as deep as 4,900 feet in some sections. But the system dried up more than 3 billion years ago, according to NASA.