Evidence for Multiple Depositional Periods in Aram Chaos, Mars

Details Evidence for Multiple Depositional Periods in Aram Chaos, Mars Evidence for Multiple Depositional Periods in Aram Chaos, Mars

Dec 2009

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2009agufm.p13a1269l&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2009, abstract #P13A-1269

Other

[1039] Geochemistry / Alteration And Weathering Processes, [3672] Mineralogy And Petrology / Planetary Mineralogy And Petrology, [5470] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets / Surface Materials And Properties, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars

Scientific paper

Analysis of CTX, HiRISE, OMEGA, and CRISM data over Aram Chaos shows that monohydrated sulfate-bearing materials mixed with nanophase iron oxides were unconformably overlain onto chaos blocks that define the basement of the crater floor. After a period of considerable wind erosion, a section of polyhydrated materials was deposited. This stratigraphic section is interpreted to indicate that at least two wetting periods associated with a fluctuating ground water table occurred in this area. Further, a ferric hydroxysulfate-bearing phase [Fe3+(OH)SO4] is observed at or near the bottom of the older sulfate section. The ferric hydroxysulfate phase observed in CRISM data in Aram Chaos can be formed by thermal dehydration of szomolnokite [Fe2+SO4●H2O] from a melanterite [Fe2+SO4●7H2O] precursor, although other pathways are possible (e.g. formation fromcopiapite, butlerite, or hydronium jarosite). The location of the ferric hydroxysulfate phase at the bottom of the section and in contact with the monohydrated sulfate indicates a possible facies change from an iron-bearing monohydrated sulfate to the ferric hydroxysulfate-bearing material. The overall pattern is consistent with relatively low water/rock ratios initially that produce either the monohydrated sulfate or both monohydrated sulfate and ferric hydroxysulfate, followed by higher water/rock ratios for the formation of the polyhydrated deposits.

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