NASA’s Perseverance rover has uncovered a strange rock formation in Jezero Crater that has left scientists puzzled. The rock, dubbed St. Pauls Bay, features round lumps resembling spider eggs, which have sparked debate about its origin.
Dr. Katie Stack Morgan leads efforts to determine how the rock formed and ended up in its current location. Initially, the team suspects geological processes that took place long ago may have moved the rock into position. However, further analysis is needed to confirm this theory.
The rock contains spherules, tiny balls of rock less than 3 millimeters in size, which could be related to past meteor strikes or groundwater reactions within the Martian crust. Scientists are exploring various scenarios for their formation, including cooling volcanic droplets and meteorite impacts.
One possibility suggests that the spherules formed when a meteorite slammed into the surface, creating molten rock fragments that cooled rapidly, resulting in the small nodules. Alternatively, groundwater percolating through subsurface rock layers may have cemented certain components, leaving behind visible lumps.
The discovery has significant implications for understanding Mars’ geological history and potential habitability. By studying this unusual rock formation, researchers can expand their knowledge of planetary processes beyond Earth and shed light on the Red Planet’s past.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/martian-rock-spherules-look-like-a-nest-of-spider-eggs-perseverance-st-pauls-bay