Researchers identify oldest known Martian meteorite

A meteorite discovered in the Sahara desert in Mali in 2022, named Teghaza 001, has been identified as the oldest Martian meteorite ever found on Earth. According to findings published in the journal Science, the rock formed in the Martian crust at least 4.1 billion years ago. It is one of 435 known meteorites originating from Mars, providing critical scientific data about the planet's early geological history.

Planetary scientist Yang Liu of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, managed by Caltech, stated that the gabbro rock acts as a witness to a period when Mars was warmer and wetter than it is today. Chemical analysis reveals that the meteorite crystallized in the Martian subsurface, where it interacted with liquid water. This interaction suggests that the early Martian environment may have been conducive to supporting microbial life.

While Mars is currently characterized as a cold, dry, and desolate planet, this discovery reinforces extensive existing evidence regarding the presence of water in its past. Researchers believe that although the meteorite is part of the Martian crust, its composition indicates it originated from magma rising from deeper within the planet's mantle.