This is a visualization of what Mars might look like if it had a much thicker atmosphere, stable liquid water and conditions capable of supporting widespread vegetation.
Mars today is extremely different. Its atmosphere is about 100 times thinner than Earth’s and consists mostly of carbon dioxide. Average surface temperatures are around −63°C, and liquid water cannot remain stable across most of the surface for long.
But ancient Mars was much wetter. Spacecraft have discovered dried-up river valleys, lake beds, deltas and minerals that form in water, showing that billions of years ago liquid water repeatedly flowed across its surface.
Mars also once possessed a global magnetic field generated by its interior. That magnetic dynamo shut down billions of years ago. Without a global magnetic shield, the solar wind has helped strip atmospheric particles into space over immense periods of time.
If Mars somehow gained a thick atmosphere and became warm enough, water could potentially fill many of its enormous lowlands and ancient basins. Olympus Mons and other giant volcanoes would still rise far above the surrounding landscape.
[source]
0 comments