Pebbles on Mars Carried for Miles by Ancient River

Research shows than an ancient riverbed on Mars carried pebbles for at least 50 kilometers from their source. The new study reveals that Mars once had a widespread river system and conditions that are favorable for sustenance of life. Even though there is evidence that Mars consists of tiny specks of liquid water, today it is largely an arid planet. The situation, however, was very different roughly 3 billion years ago. The images captured by Mars Curiosity Rover in 2012 brought back evidence that at some point in history, water flowed freely through this planet. The small and rounded rocks are a clear sign that they may have travelled with the water and gave it the abraded shape, reports Live Mint.

The team conducting the study used the mathematical model with the collected data that verified the erosion of these rocks to determine the presence of water on Mars. The new study reveals that these rocks have at least travelled tens of miles in the riverbed. The findings will help the scientists to study the planet's past and also its potential to support life in the future. The study published in Nature Communications revealed a novel method that the scientists used to quantify the distance travelled by the pebbles based on their shape. Based on that study, the rocks have roughly travelled 30 miles from their source, as per CDA News.

According to the Christian Science Monitor, co-author and a mathematician, Gabor Domokos said that when you go to the beach you can study the history by closely examining the sand underneath your feet. This formed the basis of the study that revealed that rocks on mars have travelled down the ancient river billions of years ago thus proving the potentiality of life on this seemingly arid and cold planet