Morphology and texture of particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sol 450 to sol 745

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

9

Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets: Surface Materials And Properties, Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars

Scientific paper

We quantified and classified the shape, roundness, size, and texture of 935 loose surface particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sols 450-745 to assess origin, transport, and other alteration mechanisms that altered particles during and after formation. Variation in particle morphologic parameters along traverse is consistent with crossing mapped geologic unit boundaries. Texture is divided into four types: vesicular, smooth and flat-faceted, rough and flat-faceted, and very rough. Sphericity and roundness are intermediate and low, respectively, comparable to particles moved by high-energy transport or to crushed particles. This indicates intermittent, high-energy emplacement or modification of a single lithology, rather than systematic, continuous low-energy abrasion or wear over time. Comparison with particle morphology at other Mars landing sites is consistent with the hypothesis that no secondary systematic transport or wide-scale chemical alteration was active at a significant enough level to alter macromorphology. In particular, particle morphology at the Mars Pathfinder site shows stronger evidence of abrasion than along the Spirit traverse, suggesting Mars Pathfinder particles have undergone abrasion processes that particles in this study area have not. Additionally, morphology indices have correlation coefficients near zero, indicating that a fluvial transport mechanism is likely not responsible for morphology. Morphology and texture are instead related to origin and composition rather than subsequent modification. Morphology and texture support a volcanic origin, possibly without modification, but most likely altered primarily by ballistic impact, implying that the Spirit landing site and traverse may be utilized in the future as a standard site for characterization of impact-derived morphology.

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

Morphology and texture of particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sol 450 to sol 745 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 Morphology and texture of particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sol 450 to sol 745, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Morphology and texture of particles along the Spirit rover traverse from sol 450 to sol 745 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-969419

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