Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufm.p22a..06f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #P22A-06
Mathematics
Logic
0933 Remote Sensing, 3694 Instruments And Techniques, 6225 Mars
Scientific paper
We have undertaken a study to examine the Mawrth Vallis region of Mars (centered roughly at 24° N and -20° W). This is an area under active examination as a Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) landing site due to the presence of clay minerals as observed by Mars Express OMEGA. We are utilizing THEMIS Visible (VIS) and Infrared day and night data in conjunction with MOC, MOLA, OMEGA, and HRSC data to better understand the geologic history of the Mawrth Vallis region. The OMEGA team has reported on the presence of Fe-OH bearing smectite clays, nominally nontronite, in the Noachian terrain carved by the Mawrth Vallis outflow. The OMEGA team has also observed the presence of an Al-OH bearing phase nominally the dioctahedral clay mineral montmorillonite. We have performed our own analysis of OMEGA data. We concur that the clay- bearing materials occur in the Noachian-aged highlands materials and that this material is dissected by the Mawrth Vallis channel, punctured by craters and covered by mantling material. Mapping of the Fe-OH and Al- OH phases indicates stronger concentrations of the latter on terrains west of the channel, especially outside the northeast rim of the large degraded, partially filled crater centered at 23.4° N, 20.0° W. The presence of Al- bearing clays is important because it suggests a more Earth-like, higher water activity than was extant even for the later sulfate deposition sampled by the Opportunity rover at Meridiani Planum. The light-toned outcrop that hosts the clay-rich material has higher thermal inertia values than the surrounding highlands mantle, but has lower thermal inertia values than putative basaltic sands filling the floor of the channel and the floors of large craters to the south. Subtle color differences are apparent in multispectral THEMIS VIS images of the light-toned outcrop which should be useful in constructing a stratigraphic column in the area. While deposition of the clay-bearing materials predates formation of the main channel, we find evidence for a long fluvial history in the region as evidenced by terraces on the walls of the channel, possible inverted channels on the outer flanks of the main channel, and tributary channels leading into the main channel.
Farrand William H.
Glotch Timothy D.
Rice James W. Jr.
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