Teghaza 001 meteorite reveals ancient Martian water history

A rose-colored meteorite discovered in the Sahara Desert in 2022 has been identified as one of the oldest Martian samples ever found. Named Teghaza 001 after the salt plain in Mali where it was recovered, the nearly 800-gram rock is estimated to be at least 4.1 billion years old.

Research published in the journal Science indicates that the meteorite provides a unique geological record. Unlike other Martian samples, Teghaza 001 contains chemical signatures of interactions between the Martian crust and its ancient hydrosphere. Scientists identified tiny apatite crystals that preserve hydrogen from two distinct sources: the interior of Mars and its ancient water systems.

Lead researcher Yang Liu of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory described the find as a “Rosetta Stone for Mars,” noting its ability to offer insights into the planet’s early atmospheric and geological history. The findings suggest that early Mars possessed a dynamic water cycle, with the meteorite capturing evidence of how water and rock interacted before the planet lost much of its water to space.