Despite Clay Minerals, Early Mars Might Have Been Dry

astroengine writes "Early Mars may not have been as warm or wet as scientists suspect, a finding which could impact the likelihood that the Red Planet was capable of evolving life at the time when it was getting started on Earth. A new study presents an alternative explanation for the prevalence of Mars' ancient clay minerals, which on Earth most often result from water chemically reacting with rock over long periods of time. The process is believed to be a starting point for life."

Re:What about this?

[wbr1]

Those are scars left by martian strip mining and martian mountaintop coal removal crews.