Ancient Martian flood from giant canyon may have raised sea level by 34 metres

A new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Icarus suggests that a catastrophic flood from Valles Marineris, the largest canyon system in the Solar System, released approximately 1,245 trillion cubic metres of water. The deluge may have raised the mean level of an ancient Martian ocean by about 34 metres, according to the research.

The findings add to scientific understanding of Mars' ancient hydrological systems and the planet's geological history. Valles Marineris, a vast network of canyons on Mars, is believed to have been a source of massive water discharge in the planet's distant past.