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The Geochemistry And Mineralogy Of Surface Hydrothermal Alteration At Nesjavellir, Sw Iceland, Chase Glenister
The Geochemistry And Mineralogy Of Surface Hydrothermal Alteration At Nesjavellir, Sw Iceland, Chase Glenister
Theses and Dissertations
Abundant sulfates have been detected by the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit in the Columbia Hills of Mars, consistent with extensive alteration of basalt by hydrothermal processes. This study uses Iceland’s Nesjavellir geothermal system as an analogue for Columbia Hills hydrothermal alteration. This terrestrial site is home to a variety of acidic and near-neutral waters that are actively altering the Mars-like basalt of host volcano Mt. Hengill. Hydrothermal features heated by H2S gas and phase-segregated steam created oxidizing acid-sulfate conditions at the surface with pH values varying between 3.0 and 2.0 and near-boiling temperatures. Mobilization of cations (FeO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, …