This paper provides an overview of the Curiosity rover's exploration at Vera Rubin ridge (VRR) and summarizes the science results. VRR is a distinct geomorphic feature on lower Aeolis Mons (informally known as Mount Sharp) that was identified in orbital data based on its distinct texture, topographic expression, and association with a hematite spectral signature. Curiosity conducted extensive remote sensing observations, acquired data on dozens of contact science targets, and drilled three outcrop samples from the ridge, as well as one outcrop sample immediately below the ridge. Our observations indicate that strata composing VRR were deposited in a predominantly lacustrine setting and are part of the Murray formation. The rocks within the ridge are chemically in family with underlying Murray formation strata. Red hematite is dispersed throughout much of the VRR bedrock, and this is the source of the orbital spectral detection. Gray hematite is also present in isolated, gray-colored patches concentrated toward the upper elevations of VRR, and these gray patches also contain small, dark Fe-rich nodules. We propose that VRR formed when diagenetic event(s) preferentially hardened rocks, which were subsequently eroded into a ridge by wind. Diagenesis also led to enhanced crystallization and/or cementation that deepened the ferric-related spectral absorptions on the ridge, which helped make them readily distinguishable from orbit. Results add to existing evidence
Glen Torridon in Gale crater underwent multiple generations of diagenesis of the bedrock, which widely varies in chemistry and morphology We hypothesize that an initial enrichment of elements occurred during the Gale's postimpact hydrothermal alteration phase of evolution We estimate that at least one type of vein in Glen Torridon required warm temperatures and highly reducing and alkaline fluid to form
Aeolian processes have shaped and contributed to the geological record in Gale crater, Mars, long after the fluviolacustrine system existed ∼3 Ga ago. Understanding these aeolian deposits, particularly those which have been lithified and show evidence for aqueous alteration, can help to constrain the environment at their time of deposition and the role of liquid water later in Mars' history. The NASA Curiosity rover investigated a prominent outcrop of aeolian sandstone within the Stimson formation at the Greenheugh pediment as part of its investigation of the Glen Torridon area. In this study, we use geochemical data from ChemCam to constrain the effects of aeolian sedimentary processes, sediment provenance, and diagenesis of the sandstone at the Greenheugh pediment, comparing the Greenheugh data to the results from previous Stimson localities situated 2.5 km north and >200 m lower in elevation. Our results, supported by mineralogical data from CheMin, show that the Stimson formation at the Greenheugh pediment was predominately sourced from an olivine‐rich unit that may be present farther up the slopes of Gale crater's central mound. Our results also suggest that the Greenheugh pediment Stimson formation was cemented by surface water runoff such as that which may have formed Gediz Vallis. The lack of alteration features in the Stimson formation at the Greenheugh pediment relative to those of the Emerson and Naukluft plateaus suggests that groundwater was not as available at this locality compared to the others. However, all sites share diagenesis at the unconformity.
Hydrothermal systems have previously been reported in ancient Noachian and Hesperian-aged craters on Mars using CRISM but not in Amazonian-aged impact craters. However, the nakhlite meteorites do provide evidence of Amazonian hydrothermal activity. This study uses CRISM data of 144 impact craters of ≥7 km diameter and 14 smaller craters (3-7 km diameter) within terrain mapped as Amazonian to search for minerals that may have formed as a result of impact-induced hydrothermal alteration or show excavation of ancient altered crust. No evidence indicating the presence of hydrated minerals was found in the 3-7 km impact craters. Hydrated minerals were identified in three complex impact craters, located at 52.42°N, 39.86°E in the Ismenius Lacus quadrangle, at 8.93°N, 141.28°E in Elysium, and within the previously studied Stokes crater. These three craters have diameters 20 km, 62 km, and 51 km. The locations of the hydrated mineral outcrops and their associated morphology indicate that two of these three impact craters-the unnamed Ismenius Lacus Crater and Stokes Crater-possibly hosted impact-induced hydrothermal systems, as they contain alteration assemblages on their central uplifts that are not apparent in their ejecta. Chlorite and Fe serpentine are identified within alluvial fans in the central uplift and rim of the Ismenius Lacus crater, whereas Stokes crater contains a host of Fe/Mg/Al phyllosilicates. However, excavation origin cannot be precluded. Our work suggests that impact-induced hydrothermalism was rare in the Amazonian and/or that impact-induced hydrothermal alteration was not sufficiently pervasive or spatially widespread for detection by CRISM.
Data returned by NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover showed evidence for abundant secondary materials, including Fe‐oxides, phyllosilicates, and an amorphous component on and below Vera Rubin ridge in the Murray formation. We used equilibrium thermochemical modeling to test the hypothesis that altered sediments were deposited as detrital igneous grains and subsequently underwent diagenesis. Chemical compositions of the Murray formations’ altered components were calculated using data returned by the chemistry and mineralogy X‐ray diffraction instrument and the alpha particle X‐ray spectrometer on board Curiosity. Reaction of these alteration compositions with a CO2‐poor and oxidizing dilute aqueous solution was modeled at 25–100 °C, with 10–50% Fe3+/Fetot of the host rock. The modeled alteration assemblages included abundant phyllosilicates and Fe‐oxides at water‐to‐rock ratios >100. Modeled alteration abundances were directly comparable to observed abundances of hematite and clay minerals at a water‐to‐rock ratio of 10,000, for system temperatures of 50–100 °C with fluid pH ranging from 7.9 to 9.3. Modeling results suggest that the hematite–clay mineral assemblage is primarily the result of enhanced groundwater flow compared to the Sheepbed mudstone observed at Yellowknife Bay, and underwent further, localized alteration to produce the mineralogy observed by Curiosity.
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