Researchers identified features such as troughs and sediment channels that support the theory of a Martian ocean, with lead author Bo Wu noting that pitted cones and etched flows further suggest the area's watery past.

The ocean is believed to have vanished around 3.42 billion years ago, with sedimentary evidence indicating the existence of both shallow and deeper marine environments.

Intriguing geological formations in the region, including pitted cones and polygonal troughs, point to significant past water activity.

Despite some skepticism regarding the preservation of shoreline evidence, scientists like Benjamin Cardenas lean towards the belief that an ocean did exist on Mars, which could support the idea of the planet being capable of hosting life.

This new study builds on earlier speculation from NASA's Viking 2 mission in 1976, providing substantial evidence that enhances our understanding of Mars' early climate and atmospheric conditions.

Future research will focus on investigating the formation of these water-related features and comparing the depths of the shallow and deep marine zones to validate geological models.

Estimates suggest that the ancient ocean's shallow section may have reached depths of up to 600 meters, although the maximum depth remains uncertain due to limited data.

China's Zhurong rover has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Utopia Planitia region of Mars, revealing evidence of an ancient shoreline that suggests the presence of a short-lived ocean approximately 3.5 billion years ago.

Landing in May 2021, the Zhurong rover operated for nearly a year, exploring the northern lowlands of Mars and uncovering geological features indicative of an ancient coastline.

The search for water on Mars is crucial for understanding the potential for life elsewhere in the Solar System, as many theories about the origins of life on Earth involve water environments.

The study, led by Bo Wu from Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was published in the journal Scientific Reports and highlights Utopia Planitia as a key site for understanding early Martian coastal environments.

Although the Zhurong rover went into hibernation in May 2022 after exceeding its original mission duration, the data it collected remains significant for ongoing Martian research.