Ruby-forming mineral found by Mars rover hints at violent impacts
NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered corundum-bearing rocks in Mars' Jezero Crater. Researchers believe these minerals were formed by high-energy meteorite impacts rather than volcanic or water-based processes.
Why it matters
This discovery challenges existing models of Martian geological history and provides new insights into the planet's surface evolution.
edited by Lisa Lock , reviewed by Robert Egan
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Add as preferred source Small, pale rocks in the Jezero Crater carry small grains of corundum, suggesting they may have been formed by impacts from meteorites. Credit: Ann Ollila et al So far, most of the minerals found on Mars tell a story of lava poured out by ancient volcanoes, followed by long stretches in which water trickled through and slowly reshaped the rock. However, some rocks scattered across the Martian surface seem to hint at a different geological history—carrying the same material that forms rubies and sapphires.
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