By studying the detection data of China's first Mars rover, Zhurong, Chinese geologists have found that the Martian surface had still exhibited significant aqueous activity approximately 750 million years ago.

Axar.az informs, citing Xinhua, this discovery shows that water existed on Mars several hundred million years longer than previously thought.

Previously, it was widely believed that Mars had entered a global arid phase about 3 billion years ago. However, data from Zhurong reveals that its landing site is extensively covered with a uniform sedimentary layer approximately 4 meters thick underground, beneath which craters are buried.

"The uniform thickness and continuity of the sedimentary rule out the possibility of volcanic eruptions or wind-driven processes. The only reasonable explanation is that this area was in an aqueous sedimentary environment at that time, similar to a shallow sea or a large lake," said Liu Yike, the first author and corresponding author of the study.