NASA’s Perseverance rover has made a groundbreaking discovery on the western rim of Jezero Crater, uncovering a vast collection of ancient rocks that could rewrite our understanding of Mars’ early history. The layered terrain at Witch Hazel Hill is yielding unprecedented geological diversity, earning it the title “scientific gold mine.”
In the past four months alone, Perseverance has collected samples from five distinct rocks and examined seven others. Its laser system has also analyzed 83 additional samples – a record pace since its landing in 2021. These findings provide a direct window into Mars’ Noachian period, approximately 3.9 billion years ago, when the planet experienced intense meteor bombardment and possibly flowing water.
The crater’s rim is proving to be a geological treasure trove, holding fragmented rocks that may have been blasted up from beneath the Martian surface during massive impacts. One of the notable finds is “Silver Mountain,” a rock with textures unlike any previously seen on Mars, believed to date back to the Noachian epoch. This sample may hold some of the oldest geological material accessible to researchers.
The discovery also provides clues that point to Mars’ potentially habitable past. A serpentine-rich rock was found, which forms when water interacts with volcanic rock, producing hydrogen gas – a potential energy source for microbial life. Additionally, Perseverance collected and successfully sealed a sample called “Green Gardens” from a rock named Tablelands.
However, the Mars Sample Return program, intended to bring these samples back to Earth, is facing uncertainty due to increased costs and timeline delays. Originally planned for the 2030s, the project’s estimated cost has risen to $11 billion, with a revised timeline expected in mid-2026. The rover team remains focused on selecting the next most promising sample location, with Witch Hazel Hill still yielding new insights.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/04/nasa-perseverance-rover-martian-rock-gold