Water on Mars didn’t just disappear; it escaped to space and now we know how…

For decades, scientists have puzzled over a key question: where did all the water on Mars go? A new study may finally hold the answer.

Research published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment suggests that intense local storms on the Red Planet may have played a central role in its dramatic water loss. According to the study, these storms can push water vapor high into Mars’ upper atmosphere, where hydrogen escapes into space, a process that over millions of years led to the permanent depletion of the planet’s water.

Evidence of ancient rivers, water-altered minerals, and other geological features indicates that Mars once had abundant water and a thick, active atmosphere. Yet, until now, scientists struggled to explain why so much water disappeared.

“This study is a major breakthrough in understanding Mars’ climate evolution,” said the research team. “It shows that even small, short-lived storms could have a lasting impact on the planet’s water supply.”

The findings not only shed light on Mars’ past but could also inform future exploration and the search for past life on the planet. By understanding how Mars dried out, scientists hope to better predict the planet’s climate history and the potential for habitable conditions in its ancient past.