‘3.7 billion years in the making’: NASA’s Curiosity finds ripples of a Mars lake

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Ripple Clues

[{"selector":"#anim-6567f29c-0570-48a2-83e9-6877516e91e1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.018191877757808%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Ancient wave ripples on Mars suggest long-gone shallow lakes once open to the atmosphere.

Lake Evidence

[{"selector":"#anim-82fa86e7-2ca6-4722-9ed5-bf95efcc2610 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-58.79351276845567%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The ripples, spaced 4–5 cm apart, formed in shallow water less than 2 meters deep.

Warm Atmosphere

[{"selector":"#anim-01cc6dc2-1680-4dd9-87dd-777760b49b69 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.432659128770254%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Dating back 3.7 billion years, the ripples indicate Mars once had a warm, dense climate. Credit : NASA

Dual Sites

[{"selector":"#anim-288dded0-a7eb-46f2-b10a-e276b6391a7e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(6.931874742038809%, 10.879543388332381%) scale(1.2325581395348837)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Two ripple sets were found by NASA’s Curiosity rover in Gale Crater in 2022.

Historic Period

[{"selector":"#anim-07ef9059-8c81-4eb8-b25c-b38429544df2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-6.1804504586561615%, 8.821092569071244%) scale(1.2325581395348837)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The ripples formed during a time previously thought to mark Mars’s transition to dryness.

Habitability Boost

[{"selector":"#anim-b9be2e50-f679-4333-9563-6346d1c67f6f [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.263781244828444%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Claire Mondro of Caltech notes that extended liquid water increases the chance for life.

Model Insights

[{"selector":"#anim-3ebf4e4e-a19a-4c96-aad9-06350bb1cd9d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.627538235680802%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Michael Lamb used models to analyze the ripples, revealing wind-driven wave formation.

Key Discovery

[{"selector":"#anim-21b5cf28-795f-4e07-bdb4-374ecb8787ca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-41.56003288818201%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Published in Science Advances, the study advances Mars paleoclimate understanding.

Long Search

[{"selector":"#anim-d7568edd-689a-485b-9254-6a6bbd279b83 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(3.1249997155643165%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] John Grotzinger highlights how this discovery fulfills a goal dating back to 2004 missions.

Related Stories One Child. Two Species. Scientists confirm Neanderthal-human hybrid Moon, Venus, Saturn align: The celestial trio you’ll only catch this week 1,600 years. 0 rust: How this pillar in Delhi outsmarted time and science 'A hidden ocean beneath your feet?': Ringwoodite might be holding the secret