Photo: Mars Water Traces Left by Springs, Not Seas, Experts Say

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A rock formation dubbed Payson shows sediments and other signs of water activity in the region of Mars known as Meridiani Planum.

A new study has found that networks of springs and a shallow water table can account for mineral deposits first discovered in the region by the Mars rover Opportunity in 2004. The deposits had been considered possible evidence that extensive lakes or oceans once existed for long periods on the Martian surface before finally evaporating.

Image courtesy NASA/JPL/Cornell

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