NASA’s Curiosity Rover Spots Ancient Coral-Like Rock on Mars

On July 24, 2025, NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover captured an image of a small, coral-shaped rock in Gale Crater using its ChemCam Remote Micro Imager. The light-colored, 1-inch (2.5 cm) formation likely formed billions of years ago when mineral-rich water seeped into tiny fractures in the rock, leaving behind hardened mineral veins after evaporation. Over time, relentless Martian winds sandblasted the surrounding material, revealing the rock’s intricate, branching structure. While its appearance closely resembles marine coral, scientists stress it is a geological artifact—known as a pseudofossil—rather than evidence of life. The discovery reinforces mounting evidence that ancient Mars had abundant liquid water and could have supported microbial life. Since landing in 2012, Curiosity has explored Gale Crater’s layered terrain, uncovering clues to the Red Planet’s wet history and its potential habitability in the distant past.