Curiosity Surveys the Boxwork Region
NASA
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover has captured a stunning panorama of boxwork formations in the Boxwork Region, providing new insights into the planet's ancient geological history. The images, taken using the Mastcam on September 26, 2025, during the 4,671st Martian day of the mission, reveal low ridges and hollows created billions of years ago by water seeping through rock cracks. These formations were formed when minerals carried by water hardened in the cracks, and subsequent wind erosion exposed the ridges after softer rock eroded away.
The boxwork formations are a result of complex geological processes involving water flow and mineral deposition. The panorama consists of 179 individual images stitched together to create this natural-color view, which would appear similar to what an average person might see on Mars. This discovery highlights Curiosity's ability to uncover intricate details about the Red Planet's history and its potential for supporting life in the past.
This find is significant because it offers clues about Mars' watery past and how water shaped its surface over billions of years. Such discoveries not only advance our understanding of planetary geology but also inform future missions, like NASA’s Perseverance rover, which is currently searching for signs of ancient microbial life on Mars. By studying these formations, scientists can better understand the conditions under which life might have existed and how planets evolve over time.
For space enthusiasts, this discovery underscores the
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Originally published on NASA on 2/23/2026