Decoding the Past: Unlocking the Secrets of Silica and Carbonate Formation in Comet Geyser and Earth’s Rock Record

Silica phases are formed when water interacts with rocks or sediments. The composition and crystallinity of silica can provide information about the intensity and duration of weathering, as well as the pressure and temperature conditions during formation. On the other hand, the presence of carbonate in the Comet Geyser sample indicates that a reaction took place between water, carbon dioxide, and chemical elements from rocks or sediments in the old Jezero crater to produce carbonate. Carbonate minerals from Earth’s rock record are typically used to study past climates, including temperature, precipitation, and aridity, as well as the history of life.