Overview
- Kilometer-scale ridge networks rising 1–2 meters are confirmed as fracture systems that once carried groundwater.
- Curiosity found clays concentrated within the ridges and carbonates in adjacent depressions, signaling past water–rock interactions.
- Small, knot-like nodules occur on ridge walls and in nearby basins, and their origin remains under investigation.
- The rover analyzed four drilled samples by X-ray and high-temperature oven, and applied a wet-chemistry test to one sample to search for organics; NASA has not disclosed any organic detections.
- Mission plans call for departing the spiderweb-like terrain in March to continue into sulfate-rich strata higher on Mount Sharp.