Layered Martian Sediment Hosting Wood Cell-like Structures
All articles by Wretch Fossil are here: http://www.wretch.cc/blog/lin440315&category_id=0
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Abstract
A Mastcam-Z enhanced color mosaic image from NASA’s Perseverance rover (Sol 1217) reveals a light-toned sedimentary block containing rectangular and oval cavities reminiscent of terrestrial wood cell cross-sections. The shapes, ranging from ~30 to 80 µm based on the 10 cm scale bar, show recurring modular patterns suggestive of vascular plant structures. This article analyzes the morphology, size distribution, and geological context of the features, compares them with terrestrial xylem vessels and ray cells, and considers their compatibility with abiotic explanations.
1. Introduction
Since its arrival on Mars, NASA’s Perseverance rover has provided unprecedented high-resolution images of sedimentary structures within the Jezero crater. Among these, a Mastcam-Z mosaic taken on sol 1217 stands out due to the remarkable appearance of geometrically consistent microstructures embedded in a weathered, light-toned block. This study investigates the possibility that these structures represent fossilized remains of wood-like plant tissues.
2. Observation
The original image was taken by the Mastcam-Z system using a 110 mm focal length lens. The annotated version shows a red boxed region corresponding to the SuperCam target Kolb Arch. According to the mission data, the scale bar in the bottom left represents 10 cm. The imaged block features well-layered sedimentary textures and numerous rectangular and oval holes, which appear clustered in bands across the surface.
Above figure is also displayed and desceribed at
The rectangular structures are approximately 30–80 µm across, estimated by scaling the mosaic resolution against the 10 cm bar. These dimensions overlap with terrestrial secondary xylem vessel elements, ray cells, and axial parenchyma. The preservation of morphology across a defined band suggests minimal diagenetic alteration. Such arrangements are rarely mimicked by abiotic fracture patterns or sedimentary inclusions, especially under Martian surface erosion dynamics.
4. Conclusion
While abiotic interpretations (such as desiccation cracks, vesicles, or crystal mold voids) remain conceivable, the scale, pattern regularity, and specific geometry of the observed microstructures favor a biogenic hypothesis. These findings warrant further investigation using future core sample return missions and spectroscopic characterization.
References
[1] Mastcam-Z mosaic source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fossil_lin/54779852755/in/dateposted-public/
[2] Original source image (Nature 2025 figure): https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09413-5
Wretch Fossil’s website:http://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/
Source: https://wretchfossil.blogspot.com/2025/09/layered-martian-sediment-hosting-wood.html
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