Biology
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p31g..08p&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P31G-08
Biology
[1034] Geochemistry / Hydrothermal Systems, [5220] Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology / Hydrothermal Systems And Weathering On Other Planets, [6225] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Mars
Scientific paper
The 90 km diameter, 214 Ma Manicouagan impact structure, Canada, is one of the best preserved complex impact craters on Earth. Recent field-based observations (2010 and 2011 seasons), drill core investigations and laboratory studies reveal evidence for the existence of distinct impact-induced hydrothermal regimes at Manicouagan. Four main spatial regimes have been identified: (1) intra-melt sheet cooling cells, (2) sub-melt sheet cells, (3) a central uplift convection system, and (4) peripheral hot springs associated with the collapsed rim. An overlying supra-melt sheet system (i.e., within fallback breccias) may have existed, but no evidence of this remains due to removal by erosion of the uppermost levels of the crater stratigraphy. Epidote, prehnite, chlorite and titanite are also present in fracture systems at Manicouagan, but it is not yet clear whether these are associated with the 1 Ga Grenvillian tectonometamorphic event that predates the impact. Regimes 1 and 2 are generated directly during cooling of the superheated impact melt sheet, which has an average thickness of 300 m, but locally attains thicknesses of more than 1 km. Intra-melt sheet cooling cells include both clast-laden and clast-bearing impact melt variants. Typical hydrothermal minerals present in these regimes are zeolites (e.g., natrolite, analcime) and quartz. Quartz is common in vesicles, while zeolites primarily occur in vein/fracture systems pervading the impact melt. Amethyst is also found in vesicles associated with quartz in certain locations, especially near the base of the impact melt-sheet. These regimes indicate precipitation temperatures of 100-250 °C and favor a pervasive (bulk) hydrothermal influence. Within the anorthositic central uplift, which is estimated to have been 250-300 °C when elevated from depths of 8-10 km due to the impact, zeolites are present as the predominant hydrothermal phases. These typically occupy fractures (up to 1 cm wide). The peripheral hot springs are located at the collapsed rim and terrace zone of the crater, where stilbite-Ca and chabazite-Ca are locally developed, especially where hosted by brecciated gneisses. Good exposures of the breccia-hosted regime occur in the western sector of the crater where they are related to fault-fracture-breccia systems associated with rim collapse. Temperatures of 75-100 °C are indicated by these assemblages. The relatively high (regimes 1-3) and low (regime 4) temperature hydrothermal regimes may have hosted hyperthermophile (80-122 °C) and extreme thermophile (75-90 °C) organisms, respectively. Future work aims to search for evidence of hydrothermal-associated biogenic activity within the Manicouagan impact regime. This has important implications for the potential for similar impact-hydrothermal systems facilitating biogenic activity on Mars, especially during the Noachian. In this respect, our aim is to use Manicouagan as a guide for targeting potential hydrothermal regimes within martian craters for evidence of life.
Paisarnsombat S.
Spray John G.
Thompson Mary Lou
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