Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:57am on 10 Aug 2025,Sunday Science
On July 24, 2025, NASA’s Curiosity rover spotted a 1-inch-wide coral-shaped rock inside Mars’ Gale Crater. While not biological, its intricate branching structure formed billions of years ago when mineral-rich water seeped into rock fractures, leaving hardened deposits. Over time, wind and sand erosion stripped away softer material, revealing the resilient pattern. Scientists say this discovery adds to evidence that liquid water once existed on Mars, shaping its terrain. Similar formations, including the “Paposo” rock and a flower-like feature found in 2022, strengthen theories about Mars’ potentially habitable past.
