Curiosity Finds ‘Coral’ on Mars, Strong Evidence the Red Planet Once Had Oceans
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| Coral-like rock formation found on Mars by NASA’s Curiosity rover. |
NASA’s Curiosity rover has made another fascinating discovery on Mars. This time, the robotic explorer spotted a rock on the planet’s surface that looks strikingly similar to sea coral found on Earth. While it’s not a living organism, scientists say the formation likely dates back billions of years when Mars still had oceans, according to a NASA statement on Friday (Aug 8, 2025).
NASA explained that these coral-like structures formed when minerals seeped into cracks in the rock, and flowing water eventually evaporated, leaving behind crystal deposits. Over time, Martian winds shaped them into the intricate patterns we see today. “Formations like this are traces of Mars’ wet past and its potential habitability,” said a spokesperson for the Curiosity science team.
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| Coral-like rock formation found on Mars by NASA’s Curiosity rover. |
The discovery also strengthens the theory that Mars’ water didn’t completely vanish. Most of it now exists as ice at the poles, but some scientists believe there could still be liquid water hidden beneath the surface—possibly in underground oceans. “Every unique mineral structure gives us another piece of the puzzle to understand Mars’ geological history,” NASA added.
This find joins a growing list of “oddities” captured on Mars. In previous missions, Curiosity and its newer counterpart, the Perseverance rover, have photographed rocks shaped like a “donut,” an “avocado,” as well as formations resembling a “cat’s face” and a “bear’s snout.” While they may look like fun coincidences, these images serve as valuable visual evidence for future research, including the search for signs of ancient life on the Red Planet.
