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NASA Finds Martian 'Spiderwebs': What It Means
Curiosity's analysis of mineralized ridges suggests ancient groundwater persisted longer and at higher elevations on Mars, revealing new insights into the planet's past habitability.
- NASA scientists said on February 23, 2026 that ancient groundwater likely formed the spiderweb-like boxwork ridges on Mount Sharp inside Gale Crater, extending for miles across the region.
- Scientists believe groundwater circulated through fractures in the bedrock, depositing minerals that hardened zones while wind erosion removed weaker rock over billions of years.
- Close-Up images show pea-size nodules and hollow floors, with clay minerals and carbonate deposits found by drill and wet chemistry analysis, while Tina Seeger said, `Maybe the ridges were cemented by minerals first, and later episodes of groundwater left nodules around them.`
- That timing of groundwater alters habitability assessments; Tina Seeger, mission scientist at Rice University, said the high groundwater table suggests water could have persisted longer, affecting searches for organics.
- Researchers warn more study is required to settle competing explanations as rover drivers balance along narrow ridgelines with a gaping hole in one wheel, while ongoing analyses build on Aug. 21, 2025 images.
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nexusnewsfeed.comGiant 'spiderwebs' on Mars contain tiny egg-like structures that scientists 'can't quite explain,' NASA rover reveals
New photos captured by NASA's Curiosity rover show that Mars' giant, spiderweb-like "boxwork" features are covered in tiny, never-before-seen nodules that bear a striking resemblance to arachnid eggs. And researchers are struggling to explain them.
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The boxwork structures on Mars reveal an unexpected chapter in Martian climate history. The Curiosity rover observes them on the slopes of Mount Sharp. These rock formations form a vast inter-crossed network. They show an ancient underground activity. Thus, they indicate that water has circulated under the surface for a longer period than expected by the models. Boxwork structures on Mars reveal an unexpected underground water circulation Boxwor…
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