Perseverance Uncovers Martian Megaripples: Challenges Beliefs on Mars's Activity

• NASA's Perseverance rover discovered wind-formed "Megaripples" inside Jezero Crater, challenging the belief that Mars is geologically inactive today.
• These towering ripples, like Hazyview megaripple, are up to 2 meters tall and were sculpted by powerful ancient winds, thought impossible under modern Martian conditions.
• Megaripples preserve clues about Mars's past climate, wind strength, and atmospheric density, acting as climate archives.
• Perseverance used instruments like Mastcam-Z, SuperCam, MEDA, PIXL, and WATSON for over 50 observations, revealing salty crusts binding the sand.
• The discovery suggests Mars once had colder conditions and stronger winds, potentially supporting ancient life, and challenges assumptions of a dormant Mars.

Why It Matters: Perseverance's megaripple discovery redefines Mars's geological activity and climate history.