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3w ago

Curiosity Rover Reveals Coral-Like Rock Paposo as Ancient Mineral Vein

NASA scientists say mineral-rich water once filled fractures in Martian rocks before billions of years of wind erosion revealed Paposo’s branching form.

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Image of a coral-shaped rock taken by Curiosity at the Gale Crater on Mars.
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Overview

  • Curiosity’s MAHLI camera photographed Paposo on July 24, 2025, capturing a small branching rock formation in Gale Crater just inches from the rover.
  • NASA scientists report that Paposo’s intricate ridges are wind-eroded mineral veins deposited by ancient water seeping through rock fractures.
  • The coral-like shape joins other recurring vein and boxwork patterns traced by Curiosity, including a 2022 flower-shaped rock, mapping Mars’ sustained hydrological activity.
  • Social media speculation that Paposo is fossilized coral has been refuted by geological analyses showing no organic signatures.
  • Curiosity will continue examining similar formations to refine models of Mars’ ancient water flows and guide future sample-return and habitability studies.