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last mo.

Curiosity Captures Coral-Like Mineral Pseudofossil in Gale Crater

Interpreted as a mineral deposit from ancient groundwater, revealed by eons of wind erosion, the finding underscores Curiosity’s ongoing analyses to refine the timeline of past Martian water activity.

Image
This image of the Paposo rock was taken by Curiosity’s MAHLI instrument on July 24, 2025. Image credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS.

Overview

  • On Sol 4609 (July 24, 2025), Curiosity’s ChemCam Remote Micro-Imager photographed a roughly one-inch-wide, coral-like rock formation in Gale Crater.
  • NASA scientists interpret the branched shape as a mineral pseudofossil formed when groundwater deposited dissolved minerals into rock fractures billions of years ago.
  • Subsequent wind erosion removed surrounding softer material, leaving the resistant mineral veins exposed as intricate, branch-like structures.
  • This discovery follows earlier observations of flower-shaped rocks and boxwork ridges, reinforcing a pattern of recurring aqueous features that point to sustained past water activity on Mars.
  • Curiosity remains active in Gale Crater, using drilling and chemical analyses to further constrain the mineral composition and timing of these ancient water-driven processes.