Super flood marks stretch over 3,000km on Mars

Scientists discovered traces of a massive flood on Mars with a trench system stretching about 3,000 km.

The European Space Agency (ESA) captured the high-resolution image of one of the largest ditches on the red planet, RT on March 2 reported.

High resolution photos sent by Mars Express.(Photo: ESA).

ESA said the combination of volcanic activity, tectonic, surface collapse and subsidence led to the release of huge groundwater from the Echus Chasma region on Mars 3,4 - 3,6 billion years. Subsequently, the groundwater flooded the Kasei Valles area , creating a trench system that stretched about 3,000 km before sinking into the vast Chryse Planitia plains .

"These ancient super floods leave traces on topographical features that can be observed today," ESA concluded.

In the new series of high-resolution photos taken by Mars Express on May 25, 2016, Kasei Valles canyon was formed by the ancient super flood of billions of years ago. The nearly 25km wide impact crater named Worcester Crater still resists the erosion of intense flooding.

Many debris around the crater have eroded over time while the downstream part of the flood remains intact thanks to the Worcester crater forming a protective retaining wall. However, the debris surrounding another smaller crater nearby shows no signs of being affected, indicating it was born after the flood.