NASA Discovers New Minerals on Mars That Could Indicate Past Water Activity
NASA announces the discovery of vivianite and greigite on Mars, minerals that form in the presence of water and could provide clues about the planet's wet past.
ScienceGNGV Editorial Team4 min read
NASA has announced the discovery of two important minerals on Mars — vivianite and greigite — that scientists say strengthen the evidence for ancient water activity on the Red Planet.
Both minerals typically form in environments where water is present, suggesting that the areas where they were found may have once hosted lakes or groundwater systems. The discovery was made using instruments aboard the Perseverance rover.
"These minerals are like a chemical fingerprint of water," explained a NASA scientist. "Finding them on Mars tells us that liquid water persisted there long enough to leave a lasting mark on the geology."
