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ScienceSurprise 5/5Difficulty 4/5Reviewed on September 13, 2026

Tridymite, a rare mineral, has been found in Gale Crater on Mars.

Why it is true

Tridymite is a silica mineral that forms under conditions of high temperature and low pressure. Its presence in Gale Crater suggests the region had hydrothermal activity in the past, a potentially favourable environment for microbial life.

Source: Physical Review Letters

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