Why are ancient Martian sedimentary layers preserved better than Earth's geological features?
Answer
Mars lacks the tectonic activity that recycles Earth's crust
The preservation of ancient features on Mars is attributed to its relative geological quietude compared to Earth. Earth experiences constant tectonic activity, which involves the movement, subduction, and recycling of the crust. This geological recycling process often erases or buries surface features older than a few hundred million years in many locations. Mars, having been geologically less active, essentially functions as a spectacular time capsule. This lack of crustal recycling has allowed evidence of these ancient processes, such as wave-formed sedimentary layers, to remain accessible just beneath the current regolith for billions of years.
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