Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets

Details Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets

Aug 2007

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007jgre..11208s05b&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 112, Issue E8, CiteID E08S05

Physics

12

Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Impact Phenomena, Cratering (6022, 8136), Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Remote Sensing, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Erosion And Weathering, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties, Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Volcanism (6063, 8148, 8450)

Scientific paper

This paper focuses on the spectral characteristics of lobate ejecta across Syrtis Major volcano, a dark region of Mars presenting a mafic composition as revealed from the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA) instrument. Two spectrally distinct crater types are identified. Type I is enriched in high-calcium pyroxene (HCP) relative to the volcanic rocks. Type II is similar to the lava flow mineralogy driven by HCP, compared to the Noachian crust dominated by low-calcium pyroxene (LCP). Type I craters are systematically younger than type II. The type II mineralogy has been likely affected by a long-term weathering in a cold environment for the last 2 Ga. The axisymmetric spectral signatures of type I ejecta appear dominated by rock-forming minerals rather than by soils and reflect the composition of excavated materials offering a window for exploring the subsurface. A progressive change in the slope of the spectra around 1.5-2 μm is observed across the ejecta layers, pointing at a change in the HCP/LCP ratio. The deconvolution of the spectra by the Modified Gaussian Model unravels a maximum of HCP/LCP band strength ratio located between 1.2 and 3 crater radii for all type I craters. Using Z-modeling, this observation translates into a maximum in the HCP/LCP abundances at a few hundreds of meters depth and suggests a homogeneous subsurface structure of the volcanic edifice. Below this horizon the HCP/LCP decrease may reveal a more ancient lava composition or the signature of the underlying Noachian crust.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets 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 Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mineralogical structure of the subsurface of Syrtis Major from OMEGA observations of lobate ejecta blankets will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1813221