In a recent study scientist have come up with a new evidence supporting the theory that a vast ocean covered much of the Martian northern hemisphere 3.5 billion years ago. The work puts forth an image of a planet similar to earth, with an atmosphere congenial to have rivers, sea shore beaches and an ocean encompassing one-third of the surface.

Marine deltas on earth can have a range of varied features, tides, morphologies and geological make up, but one common thread that combines them all is that they are situated at the same height above sea level.

Now a fresh report claims a survey of ancient delta deposits at similar height on mars appear to show them draining into a huge ancient ocean.

Whether global ocean once covered the flat lowland regions of the northern Martian hemisphere or not has remained a topic of debate for scientists for decades now.

According to Mr. Di Achille , “if Mars ever had an extensive hydrological cycle with rain, groundwater reservoirs, ice sheets and surface run off towards lakes and possibly a northern hemisphere ocean, then there should be evidence of deltas ringing the margins of these lowlands at a common elevation.”

In order to check their theory, they used global databases of known deltaic deposits and valley networks, in addition to topography data from a laser altimeter aboard NASA’s Mars Observer Spacecraft, which is revolving around the red planet.

They also supposed that most of the Mars’ present topographical features were positioned by the end of the Martian Noachian Era around 3.5 billion years ago.

On combining their data the researchers discovered the shoreline they were drawing was largely consistent with palaeoshorelines as indicated earlier studies.

Besides, they studied deltas formed in closed basins to find any ancient aquifers saturating the crust and systematically appearing on the surface.

In all 52 delta formations were examined along the border between the northern lowlands and southern highlands.

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