Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
NASA's Curiosity rover embarks on a mission to study massive "spiderweb" rock formations on Mars, promising new insights into the planet’s watery past.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
The web-like boxwork formations, spanning up to 12 miles, may hold secrets of ancient Martian lakes and oceans, sparking hope for traces of past life.
Credit: NPS Photo/Kim Acker
During its previous mission in Gediz Vallis, Curiosity unveiled pure sulfur crystals and wave-like rock patterns, hinting at Mars’ dynamic geological history.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS
A large hole in one of Curiosity’s wheels was discovered during its steep slope explorations, showcasing the rover’s resilience after 12 years on Mars.
Before moving on, Curiosity captured a stunning 360-degree "selfie" in Gediz Vallis, marking the end of an era in its exploration journey.
Boxwork deposits, found in South Dakota's Wind Cave, form through calcite-rich water hardening between rocks—similar to the process on Mars but on a grander scale.
Representative pic
Mission scientist Kirsten Siebach suggests that warm, salty liquid water in these formations could mimic environments where microbes thrived on early Earth.
Credit: kirstensiebach.com
Researchers hope the minerals in the boxwork will reveal how water once flowed beneath Mars' surface, shaping its unique geological features.
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Arizona
Curiosity will reach the boxwork deposits in early 2025, potentially uncovering groundbreaking evidence about Mars' capacity to support life.