Geology

NASA's Perseverance rover has discovered bright white rocks made of kaolinite clay in Jezero Crater, suggesting Mars once experienced millions of years of rainfall in warm, humid conditions. These aluminum-rich clays, similar to those formed in Earth's tropical rainforests, imply the planet had abundant water and potentially habitable environments long ago. The scattered rocks puzzle scientists about their origins, possibly from floods or impacts.

January 23, 2026 Reported by AI

Scientists have discovered how a promising niobium deposit formed deep beneath central Australia more than 800 million years ago. The findings link the metal's origins to the ancient supercontinent Rodinia's breakup. Niobium plays a key role in strengthening steel and advancing clean energy technologies.

Sedimentary rocks in Mars' Gale crater suggest the planet once had a much larger moon capable of generating tides in its ancient lakes. Researchers analyzed layered formations imaged by NASA's Curiosity rover, proposing this moon was 15 to 18 times the mass of current moon Phobos. While the idea revives tidal theories, some experts question whether the small crater lakes could support such activity.

December 11, 2025 Reported by AI

Researchers have identified vast deposits of lava rubble beneath the South Atlantic Ocean that trap significant amounts of carbon dioxide over tens of millions of years. These breccia formations, formed from eroded underwater mountains, store far more CO2 than typical ocean crust samples. The discovery highlights a previously unrecognized mechanism in Earth's long-term carbon cycle.