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Articles 1 - 7 of 7
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
The Periglacial Landscape Of Mars: Insight Into The 'Decameter-Scale Rimmed Depressions' In Utopia Planitia, Arya Bina
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Currently, Mars appears to be in a ‘frozen’ and ‘dry’ state, with the clear majority of the planet’s surface maintaining year-round sub-zero temperatures. However, the discovery of features consistent with landforms found in periglacial environments on Earth, suggests a climate history for Mars that may have involved freeze and thaw cycles. Such landforms include hummocky, polygonised, scalloped, and pitted terrains, as well as ice-rich deposits and gullies, along the mid- to high-latitude bands, typically with no lower than 20o N/S. The detection of near-surface and surface ice via the Phoenix lander, excavation of ice via recent impact cratering activity as …
Spectral And Stratigraphic Mapping Of Layered Sulfate Deposits On Mars Using Advanced Crism Data Processing Techniques, Kathryn Elizabeth Powell
Spectral And Stratigraphic Mapping Of Layered Sulfate Deposits On Mars Using Advanced Crism Data Processing Techniques, Kathryn Elizabeth Powell
Arts & Sciences Electronic Theses and Dissertations
We apply orbital remote sensing of Mars to analyze the mineralogy and geologic setting of two areas near rover landing sites. We use the Compact Reconnaissance Orbiter for Mars (CRISM) observations, modeled to single scattering albedo, to identify and map hydrated sulfates in layered sedimentary sequences in these two locations. In Meridiani Planum, the Opportunity rover has characterized a ~10 m section of sulfate-bearing deposits known as the Burns formation. At our study area in ~20 km to the south at Iazu Crater, we found that the crater walls have strong spectral signatures of polyhydrated sulfate, strongly correlated with a …
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, …
Formation Of Evolved Rocks At Gale Crater By Crystal Fractionation And Implications For Mars Crustal Composition, Arya Udry, Esteban Gazel, Harry Y. Mcsween Jr.
Formation Of Evolved Rocks At Gale Crater By Crystal Fractionation And Implications For Mars Crustal Composition, Arya Udry, Esteban Gazel, Harry Y. Mcsween Jr.
Geoscience Faculty Research
The recent discovery of some ancient evolved rocks in Gale crater by the Curiosity rover has prompted the hypothesis that continental crust formed in early Martian history. Here we present petrological modeling that attempts to explain this lithological diversity by magma fractionation. Using the thermodynamical software MELTS, we model fractional crystallization of different Martian starting compositions that might generate felsic igneous compositions like those analyzed at Gale crater using different variables, such as pressure, oxygen fugacities, and water content. We show that similar chemical and mineralogical compositions observed in Gale crater felsic rocks can readily be obtained through different degrees …
Hydrothermal Alteration At Devil's Kitchen In The Lassen Volcanic National Park: A Mars Analogue, Andy Wanta
Hydrothermal Alteration At Devil's Kitchen In The Lassen Volcanic National Park: A Mars Analogue, Andy Wanta
Theses and Dissertations
The Devil’s Kitchen hydrothermal site, within the Lassen Volcanic National Park, has hydrothermal features that cover a wide range of pH conditions (2-7). Analysis of mineral precipitates, hot spring mud, unaltered substrate rock, and hot spring and meteoric water reveal a wide variety of alteration minerals, geochemical conditions, and water chemistry. Mineral suites included primary igneous phases, silica phases, clay minerals, and sulfate phases. Aluminum sulfates are the dominant sulfate species present with abundant Na+, Fe3+, and Ca2+ sulfate phases and less common K+ sulfates. Amorphous silica precipitates were observed in three samples from a near-neutral hot spring and one …
Craters Of The Moon National Monument Basalts As Unshocked Compositional And Weathering Analogs For Martian Rocks And Meteorites, Christopher T. Adcock, Arya Udry, Elisabeth M. Hausrath, Oliver Tschauner
Craters Of The Moon National Monument Basalts As Unshocked Compositional And Weathering Analogs For Martian Rocks And Meteorites, Christopher T. Adcock, Arya Udry, Elisabeth M. Hausrath, Oliver Tschauner
Geoscience Faculty Research
The availability of terrestrial sites that are martian analogs allows researchers to investigate Mars using knowledge gained on Earth. Among the terrestrial analog sites for Mars is Craters of the Moon National Monument (COTM) in Idaho, U.S.A. Craters of the Moon National Monument is home to over 60 basalt lava flows, many of which have been dated from 2050 to 18 340 years before present (y.b.p.). Following previous authors, we examined the chemistry and petrogenesis of COTM basalts compared to basaltic martian rocks, martian meteorites, and meteorite clasts, and then examined the results of chemical weathering of the basaltic flows. …
Differentiation In Impact Melt Sheets As A Mechanism To Produce Evolved Magmas On Mars, Ari Koeppel
Differentiation In Impact Melt Sheets As A Mechanism To Produce Evolved Magmas On Mars, Ari Koeppel
Dissertations and Theses
Asteroid bombardment contributed to extensive melting and resurfacing of ancient (> 3 Ga) Mars, thereby influencing the early evolution of the Martian crust. However, information about how impact melting has altered Mars’ crustal petrology is limited. Evidence from some of the largest impact structures on Earth, such as Sudbury and Manicouagan, suggests that some impact melt sheets experience chemical differentiation. If these processes occur on Mars, we expect to observe differentiated igneous materials in some exhumed rock samples. Some rocks observed in Gale crater are enriched in alkalis (up to 14 wt% Na2O + K2O) and …