Evidence of ancient sandstorms suggests Mars once had an Earth-like atmosphere

In April 2026, scientists discovered evidence of an ancient sandstorm on Mars, revealing that the planet once had a much thicker atmosphere.

Using the NASA Curiosity rover, researchers identified unique rock structures called "supercritical climbing wind ripples" within the Gale Crater.

Unlike the thin, weak atmosphere of modern Mars, the early atmosphere had the force required to transport large sand grains.

This discovery provides a rare, short-term record of an intense, high-energy wind event, suggesting that early Mars was a dynamic and potentially habitable world.

The findings, led by Steven Banham of Imperial College London and published in the journal Geology, help scientists understand how the planet evolved from a world that could support stable surface water into the arid, cold environment we observe today.

While modern Mars still experiences massive dust storms, they lack the energy of these ancient events.