Unprecedented mineral and organic compounds discovered in Mars’ Jezero Crater

The Perseverance rover has uncovered sedimentary rocks containing minerals and organic matter organized into structures never before seen on Mars, opening up new perspectives on the Red Planet’s past habitability.

Research teams involving several CNRS Terre & Univers laboratories used NASA’s Perseverance rover to analyze intriguing spotted rocks found in the sediments of a valley in Jezero Crater, in the geological formation known as “Bright Angel.” This study reveals unprecedented mineral and organic associations.

Detailed analysis of these sedimentary rocks has revealed the presence of organic matter—i.e., carbon-based molecules—closely associated with phosphate and iron sulfide minerals, concentrated in the form of submillimeter nodules and millimeter-scale reaction fronts.

Read more on the INSU (CNRS Terre & Univers) website (in French)

Contact GET: Gwénaël Caravaca