Physics

Geology

Utopia

Hesperian

Amazonian

Regolith

Groundwater

Biology

Biosphere

Hydrosphere

Geochemistry

Geotechnical engineering

Ecology

Earth science

Noachian

Martian

Art history

Amazon rainforest

Mars Exploration Program

Astrobiology

Science Advances

The Mars' climate is cold and dry in the most recent epoch, and liquid water activities are considered extremely limited. Previous orbital data only show sporadic hydrous minerals in the northern lowlands of Mars excavated by large impacts. Using the short-wave infrared spectral data obtained by the Zhurong rover of China's Tianwen-1 mission, which landed in southern Utopia Planitia on Mars, we identify hydrated sulfate/silica materials on the Amazonian terrain at the landing site. These hydrated minerals are associated with bright-toned rocks, interpreted to be duricrust developed locally. The lithified duricrusts suggest that formation with substantial liquid water originates by either groundwater rising or subsurface ice melting. In situ evidence for aqueous activities identified at Zhurong's landing site indicates a more active Amazonian hydrosphere for Mars than previously thought.

Zhurong reveals recent aqueous activities in Utopia Planitia, Mars