Curiosity on Sol 3178

 Looks almost like lichen growth. Bacteria/fungus slowly breaking down rock?


This image was taken by Mast Camera (Mastcam) onboard NASA's Mars rover Curiosity on Sol 3178 (2021-07-15 10:56:04 UTC).

Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

https://www.britannica.com/science/rock-tripe

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2016/03/iron-eating-fungus-disintegrates-rocks-acid-and-cellular-knives

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron-oxidizing_bacteria

-most likely airborne moisture causing rock/crystal growth over millions of years

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