Curiosity Rover discovers sulfur on Mars as it leaves Gediz Vallis

NASA’s Curiosity rover has completed its exploration of the Gediz Vallis Canal. In this process it captured a 360 degree panorama before heading towards a new goal, the boxwork. This mysterious region, located on the slopes of Mount Sharp, has been explored to reveal the role of water in Mars’ transition from a wetter to a dry climate. The rover’s findings, including a unique discovery of sulfur rocks, are expected to provide more new insights into the planet’s geological history and past habitability.

Rare sulfur deposits found in Gediz Vallis

A major highlight of the mission was the detection of pure sulfur stones in Gediz Vallis, which had gone unnoticed during previous images by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO). When Curiosity reached the region, these bright white rocks revealed yellow crystals as they were crushed under the wheels. Ashwin Vasavada, Curiosity’s project scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, described the discovery as an intriguing mystery, noting that typical terrestrial sources of sulfur (volcanic activity and hot springs) are absent from Mount Sharp. Researchers are now analyzing data to determine how these unusual deposits formed.

The geological story of Mars

Observations from Gediz Vallis have painted a complex picture of Mars’ history. Scientists believe that rivers, wet debris flows and dry avalanches helped form features such as the hill nicknamed ‘Pinnacle Ridge’. By studying these structures, the mission team will piece together a timeline of events that formed the channel during Mars’ climate transformation.

Boxwork formation

Curiosity’s next goal is box work. It is a network of mineral ridges that resemble spider webs. Kirsten Siebach, a scientist at Rice University, explained that these structures likely formed from minerals that crystallized in fractures as the water receded. Their vast expanse – which can reach as much as 20 kilometers – offers a rare opportunity to explore environments where early microbial life could have survived.
The rover, which has traveled more than 20 miles (33 kilometers) since landing in 2012, continues its mission to unlock Mars’ secrets and search for signs of ancient habitability.