South Pole of Mars

Strange Coral-Like Deposits on Mars Offer Fresh Clues to the Planet’s Climate Past

A new image of Mars has drawn attention for its coral reef-like textures and unexpected violet and pink tones near the south polar region, but the spectacle is more than a visual curiosity. Scientists say the formations may help reconstruct how water, ice, dust, and seasonal chemistry have shaped the planet’s surface over time. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence that Mars has undergone repeated climate shifts rather than a single, simple transition from wet to dry.