Assuming that interpretation holds up, it will be the first mud cracks (okay, “desiccation cracks”) confirmed by the rover. Regardless, the cracked surface formed 3
billion years ago and was buried by layers of
sediment, which all became stratified rock, according to a NASA blog post. Wind erosion exposed the split pieces, which are located in an area known as “Old Soaker” on lower
Mount Sharp. Other evidence in the site includes a layering pattern called
cross-bedding, which could have formed where water flowed vigorously, as in near the shore of a lake. Then again, it could have been made from windblown sediment during a dry episode.