What features did advanced radar data reveal in Martian southern plains about past water presence?
Answer
Layered sediments characteristic of wave action
The radar instruments employed to study the subsurface layers across the southern plains detected layered sedimentary structures. These layers were interpreted not merely as general deposits but as features specifically characteristic of wave action and coastal processes commonly seen along Earth's coastlines. Radar excels at distinguishing boundaries between materials, and the observed patterns indicated that liquid water remained stable at certain levels long enough for sediment to be sorted and deposited into recognizable shoreline configurations. This strongly implies sustained liquid interaction with the crust, moving beyond transient flows or simple ice deposits.
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