Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2011
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufm.p21b1666t&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #P21B-1666
Mathematics
Logic
[5400] Planetary Sciences: Solid Surface Planets
Scientific paper
In the framework of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF) 'Planetary Evolution and Life' one major goal of the topic 4000 (Geological Context of Life) group is to focus on geological processes and landforms that have been active around the Noachian/Hesperian boundary, i.e. 3.7 Ga ago. This period might be the most promising era for the search for clues about habitable environments as it is the time of global climate change and the probable Late Heavy Bombardment on Mars. Analysis of geological processes acting at that time might provide further insight into the climate conditions of this period. Main phases of fluvial activity in the Libya Montes region on Mars occurred around this time period. The Libya Montes highland region is located at the southern edge of Isidis Planitia and was heavily modified by multiple episodic phases of aqueous activity predominantly acting in Noachian and Hesperian times. Dendritic and longitudinal valley networks dissect the mountainous massifs and ridges. The co-occurrence of both valley types is particularly interesting. Dendritic valleys indicate precipitation-induced surface runoff, whereas the water release mechanism of the longitudinal valleys was groundwater sapping, probably triggered by volcanism. Age dating revealed that the dendritic valleys were active around 4 Ga ago, whereas the average longitudinal valley activity was dated to 3.7 Ga, indicating a change in the erosive environment at the Noachian/Hesperian transition. Altered surface lithology, as detected by CRISM, evidences an intense and long-term influence of aqueous processes. Al-rich clays found in a deltaic deposit located at the central part of the Libya Montes/Isidis boundary provide evidence for long-term availability of water and aqueous alteration. Al-rich phyllosilicates detected at the bottom of the fluvial deposit indicate a lacustrine environment. Olivine-rich materials found in the Libya Montes are associated possibly with environmental changes over time towards decreasing water availability or volcanic activity and volcanic flooding of the Isidis basin. Larger outcrops of Fe/Mg-phyllosilicates found at Hashir Crater located in the central part of the region show that the long-term presence of water in this region was not restricted to a single location, making the Libya Montes region particularly interesting for studies searching for possible former habitable environments on Mars.
Bamberg M.
Bishop Janice L.
Erkeling G.
Jaumann Ralf
Tirsch Daniela
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