A newly discovered impact crater on Mars was likely left by an enormous asteroid that slammed into the Red Planet around 3.4 billion years ago and may have triggered an 800-foot-tall “mega-tsunami.” The colossal explosion was similar to the asteroid impact on Earth that wiped out the nonavian dinosaurs, a new study shows.
From about 3.5 billion to 3 billion years ago, Mars was covered by vast, shallow oceans. During that time, one of these oceans, which once covered Mars’ northern lowlands (Vastitas Borealis), experienced multiple mega-tsunamis when asteroids slammed into the ancient body of water, according to NASA (opens in new tab).
Past research has found evidence of at least two massive wave events on the ancient shoreline that once surrounded the long-lost ocean, including large chunks of debris that washed ashore and rock markings that likely carved out as displaced water slowly drained back into the ocean. The first event likely occurred around 3.4 billion years ago, and the second likely emerged around 3 billion years ago as Mars’ oceans began to dry up, according to NASA.
“Writer Fuel” is a series of cool real-world stories that might inspire your little writer heart. Check out our Writer Fuel page on the LimFic blog for more inspiration.
