High-resolution images of Mars from National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) rovers revealed mm-size loose haematite spherulitic deposits (nicknamed “blueberries”) similar to terrestrial iron-ooids, for which both abiotic and biotic genetic hypotheses have been proposed. Understanding the formation mechanism of these haematite spherules can thus improve our knowledge on the possible geologic evolution and links to life development on Mars. Here, we show that shape, size, fabric and mineralogical composition of the Martian spherules share similarities with corresponding iron spherules currently forming on the Earth over an active submarine hydrothermal system located off Panarea Island (Aeolian Islands, Mediterranean Sea). Hydrothermal fluids associated with volcanic activity enable these terrestrial spheroidal grains to form and grow. The recent exceptional discovery of a still working iron-ooid source on the Earth provides indications that past hydrothermal activity on the Red Planet is a possible scenario to be considered as the cause of formation of these enigmatic iron grains.

中文翻译：

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从地球和火星上滚来的铁矿石：陆地热液Ooids作为火星小球的潜在类似物

美国国家航空航天局（NASA）漫游者提供的高分辨率火星图像显示，毫米波状的赤铁矿球状沉积物（昵称“蓝莓”）与陆地铁-类固醇相似，因此提出了非生物和生物遗传假设。因此，了解这些赤铁矿小球的形成机理可以提高我们对可能的地质演化的认识，并与火星上的生命发展联系起来。在这里，我们显示出火星小球的形状，大小，结构和矿物学组成与当前在Panarea岛（风神群岛，地中海）附近的活跃海底热液系统上形成在地球上的相应铁球具有相似性。与火山活动有关的热液使这些地球球形颗粒得以形成和生长。