Martian crystals reveal ancient water, potential for life

18/4/2025 16:50

Scientists' discovery of strong evidence of ancient, water-rich environments beneath Mars' surface offers new hope in the search for past life on the Red Planet.



Using data from NASA's Perseverance rover, researchers discovered two types of crystals in rocks from Jezero Crater, an area believed to have once held a lake, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) said on Thursday.



These crystals, made of calcium-sulphate, formed during different time periods -- one mineral layer formed just below the surface, the other at least 80 meters underground -- suggesting multiple periods of water activity, said the international team led by Michael Jones from QUT's Central Analytical Research Facility and School of Chemistry and Physics.



"Sulphate minerals exist with different amounts of water in most regions on Mars and allow us to understand how water moved around the planet, which is key to understanding its past habitability," Jones said.



Since landing in 2021, the Perseverance rover has been exploring ancient rocks, collecting data, and storing samples to assess Mars' habitability for a future mission that may return them to Earth, the study said.