Other
Scientific paper
Oct 2007
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2007dps....39.1404w&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, DPS meeting #39, #14.04; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 39, p.435
Other
Scientific paper
Phyllosilicate minerals were first identified on Mars by the OMEGA spectrometer on board Mars Express [1,2]. On Earth, these minerals form most commonly through prolonged interactions between rock and water, so their presence on Mars may have significant implications for the planet's aqueous history. In finely layered outcrops surrounding the ancient outflow channel Mawrth Vallis, OMEGA found two compositionally distinct types of phyllosilicates.
With the higher-resolution view afforded by CRISM and HiRISE on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, we find that these different minerals occur in distinct stratigraphic horizons, implying changing environmental conditions and/or a variable source of sediment for this location during the Noachian era. A layered unit containing Al-rich phyllosilicates overlies the most extensive of at least two units rich in Fe/Mg-phyllosilicates; in places, these are separated by another unit containing hydrated material of unknown mineralogy. All units are fractured into blocks ranging from decimeters to over a hundred meters across, and the morphology and scale of fractures correlates with the compositional stratigraphy. The lateral continuity of these stratigraphic units over scales exceeding 100 km and the uniformity (at CRISM resolution) of hydrated mineral signatures within each unit suggest that alteration occurred prior to sedimentary emplacement at this site. We use topographic data from HiRISE and the High Resolution Stereo Camera on Mars Express to aid in regional stratigraphic correlations and improve our understanding of the three-dimensional geometries of the phyllosilicate-rich layers. The layer geometries provide constraints on the timing of sedimentary deposition in Mawrth Vallis.
[1] Bibring, J.-P. et al. (2005) Science 307, 1576-1581.
[2] Poulet, F. et al. (2005) Nature 438, 623-627.
Ehlmann Bethany L.
Kirk Randolph L.
Mustard John F.
Squyres Steve W.
Wray James
No associations
LandOfFree
Phyllosilicate Stratigraphy near Mawrth Vallis, Mars: New Insights from Topography 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 Phyllosilicate Stratigraphy near Mawrth Vallis, Mars: New Insights from Topography, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Phyllosilicate Stratigraphy near Mawrth Vallis, Mars: New Insights from Topography will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1065166