What if we teleported the oceans to Mars?

Summary

The script imagines the effects of draining Earth's oceans and depositing them on Mars, specifically on the Curiosity rover. It explores how Mars' cold temperatures and thin atmosphere would impact the water, leading to the formation of ice and the potential for liquid water in low elevations. The scenario envisions the transformation of Mars' landscape, with Gale Crater becoming a lake, the North Polar Basin filling with water, and the creation of new coastlines. It also considers the long-term effects, including the possibility of the oceans freezing or, conversely, warming Mars due to water's greenhouse properties.

Takeaways

• 🌊 If Earth's oceans were drained onto Mars, the water would initially accumulate in Gale Crater, where the Curiosity rover is located.
• ❄️ Mars has a lot of frozen water, and liquid water doesn't last long due to the cold temperatures and thin atmosphere.
• 📈 The average atmospheric pressure on Mars is near the 'triple point' of water, allowing for the possibility of liquid water at the lowest elevations on warm days.
• 🧊 The dumped water would start to freeze from above and below due to the Martian surface's freezing temperatures.
• 🏔️ Mt. Sharp, within Gale Crater, would become an island as the water turns the crater into a lake and eventually overflows.
• 🌐 The water would flow into the North Polar Basin, forming a sea with a layer of sea ice and ice-dirt chunks floating on the surface.
• 🌍 As more water is added, the Valles Marineris would be filled, creating unique coastlines and moving Mars rovers.
• 💧 The Hellas Impact Crater, the lowest point on Mars, would be filled with water, potentially destroying the Perseverance rover.
• 🏞️ The new Martian ocean would cover most of the high southern plateaus, leaving only a few islands, with Olympus Mons and other volcanoes still above water.
• ⏳ The Martian oceans would last a long time, with ice gradually thickening and potentially leading to a solid frozen surface.
• 🌡️ The introduction of vast amounts of water could potentially warm Mars, keeping the oceans liquid and altering the planet's climate.

Q & A

What would happen if Earth's oceans were drained and dumped onto Mars?

Mars would initially accumulate a large amount of water, which would start to form lakes and eventually oceans. However, due to Mars' cold temperatures and thin atmosphere, the water would likely freeze, forming ice-covered bodies of water and potentially lifting landers and other objects as ice-dirt chunks.

Why doesn't liquid water last long on Mars?

Liquid water doesn't last long on Mars because the planet is too cold and has too little atmosphere to maintain liquid water. Water either stays frozen or sublimates directly from ice to vapor.

What is the significance of the 'triple point' of water in relation to Mars?

The triple point of water is the temperature and pressure at which all three states of water—solid, liquid, and gas—coexist in equilibrium. Mars' average atmospheric pressure nearly intersects the triple point of water, making it technically possible for liquid water to exist at very low elevations on warm days.

How would the saltwater from Earth's oceans affect the freezing process on Mars?

The saltwater from Earth's oceans would make it slightly harder for water to freeze due to the presence of salt, which lowers the freezing point of water.

What would happen to the Curiosity rover if Earth's oceans were dumped onto it?

The Curiosity rover would be buried under hundreds of meters of water, which would then freeze from above and below due to the Martian surface's freezing temperatures.

How would the water from Earth's oceans affect the landscape of Mars?

The water would create lakes and oceans, potentially turning features like Gale Crater into a lake and eventually covering much of the Martian surface. It would also create unusual coastlines and possibly lift landers and other objects as they become part of ice-dirt chunks.

What is the role of Olympus Mons in the scenario of Mars being covered by Earth's oceans?

Olympus Mons, being the tallest volcano on Mars, would still remain above water even after Earth's oceans are dumped onto Mars. It would not be covered by the new sea level, which would be significantly lower than the volcano's height.

How would the water from Earth's oceans impact the climate of Mars?

The introduction of Earth's oceans could potentially warm up Mars due to water being a potent greenhouse gas. This could lead to the oceans remaining liquid, similar to conditions on Earth.

What would be the fate of the landers on Mars if they were submerged in the water from Earth's oceans?

The landers, such as Phoenix and Viking, would likely be covered by the water and possibly become part of the ice as it freezes, lifting them to float on the surface.

How would the process of water accumulation on Mars affect the planet's polar regions?

The water would flow to the North Polar Basin, forming a layer of sea ice and potentially covering the defunct landers. The ice would thicken as the water cooled, eventually leading to the oceans freezing solid.

What is the potential long-term outcome of Mars being covered by Earth's oceans?

In the long term, the oceans on Mars could either freeze solid, leading to a surface covered by ice and dust, or they could remain liquid if the increased water in the atmosphere creates a warming effect, changing Mars' climate.