In January 2017, scientists announced the possible discovery of mud cracks in Gale Crater on Mars.
The site, called “Old Soaker,” was within an exposure of Murray formation mudstone on lower Mount Sharp.
Previously, Curiosity has examined cracks and ridges of different shapes that were made by groundwater carrying minerals, such as calcium sulfate.
Gale Crater held ancient lakes that varied in depth and area over time, and sometimes disappeared.
[2] Nathan Stein, a graduate student at the California Institute of Technology led the investigation.