Juxtaposition of Layered Sulfate and Phyllosilicate Deposits, Meridiani Planum, Mars

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

5464 Remote Sensing, 5470 Surface Materials And Properties

Scientific paper

Analysis of hyperspectral MRO CRISM and MEX OMEGA data from the fluvially-dissected Noachian cratered terrain to the south and west of the layered sedimentary sulfate deposits explored by the Opportunity rover shows clear evidence for phyllosilicate deposits. Specifically, exposures exhibit spectral features resulting from an Fe/Mg-OH vibration at ~ 2.3 microns and bound H2O at ~1.9 microns. In several locations, the phyllosilicates (ex. -3.1N°,-8.0E° and -3.4N°,-5.6E°) are located within ~20 kilometers of the edge of the hematite-bearing plains unit investigated by the Opportunity rover ~150km to the northeast. This is one of the few regions on Mars where a clear stratigraphic relationship between the phyllosilicate exposures and layered sulfates is observed, and this may record the transition to acid sulfate conditions on Mars. Continued analyses of the mineralogical composition and mapping of the spatial distribution of these phyllosilicate and sulfate deposits in Meridiani with CRISM, OMEGA, CTX, and HiRISE images will constrain the relative timing of the change in climatic and hydrologic regimes on Mars from fluvial conditions to an acid sulfate groundwater system. The spatial juxtaposition of phyllosilicate and sulfate deposits also provides a potentially important site for exploration by the Mars Science Laboratory, ExoMars, and other upcoming rover-based missions.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Juxtaposition of Layered Sulfate and Phyllosilicate Deposits, Meridiani Planum, Mars does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Juxtaposition of Layered Sulfate and Phyllosilicate Deposits, Meridiani Planum, Mars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Juxtaposition of Layered Sulfate and Phyllosilicate Deposits, Meridiani Planum, Mars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1483734

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.