Recent Aqueous Activity on Mars Evidenced by Transverse Aeolian Ridges in the Zhurong Exploration Region of Utopia Planitia

Aqueous activities on Mars have gradually declined since the Noachian (>3.7 Ga). Although water can be stored in the subsurface during the latest epochs, geomorphological evidence is still limited. In this study, we used in situ imaging and spectral data acquired by China's Zhurong rover, as well as high-resolution remote-sensing data, to investigate the transverse aeolian ridges (TARs) in the Zhurong landing region of Utopia Planitia. A two-stage evolutionary scenario of the TARs is proposed and polygonal features with hydrated minerals are identified for the first time on the surface of Martian TARs. We discussed the possible formation mechanisms of the polygonal features, and proposed that they could be related to recent aqueous activity and atmosphere-surface water exchange on Mars, which sheds light on the hydrological cycle of Mars in current cold and dry climate.

Automated summary

In this study, using data from China's Zhurong rover and high-resolution remote sensing, the researchers investigated transverse aeolian ridges in the Zhurong landing region of Utopia Planitia on Mars. They proposed a two-stage evolutionary scenario for the ridges and identified polygonal features with hydrated minerals on their surface for the first time. The study discusses possible formation mechanisms for these features and suggests they may be linked to recent aqueous activity and atmosphere-surface water exchange on Mars, providing insights into the hydrological cycle of Mars in its current cold and dry climate.