NASA’s Curiosity rover discovered a large field of honeycomb-like polygonal fractures while exploring Valle Grande, a valley on Mars.

The patterns, captured in June 2026, measure about 1.5 to 3 inches across and stretch across the landscape near a steep hill called Miraflores.

Scientists were surprised by the discovery and are studying the shapes and chemical data to understand how they formed.

Researchers believe temperature changes and ancient water movement through Martian soil may have created the formations, Space.com has reported.

The exact cause remains unknown, and NASA plans to gather more data to uncover the mystery behind the unusual patterns.