Exploration of hydrothermal targets on Mars

Schulze‐Makuch, Dirk; Dohm, J. M.; Fan, Chaojun; Fairén, Alberto González; Rodriguez, J. A. P.; Baker, Victor R.; Fink, Wolfgang

doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2007.02.007

Cited by 138 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 144 publications

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“…As argued above (see also Cousins & Crawford 2011;Warner & Farmer 2010;Schulze-Makuch et al 2007) regions of volcano -cryosphere interaction on Mars are strong candidates for identifying near-surface evidence for past life. Evidence of volcano -ice interaction specifically occurs on a number of scales, from large-scale topographic and geomorphological features such as fissure swarms and flood erosion/deposits, to distinctive lithofacies within the rock record (pillow basalts, volcaniclastics), and finally hydrothermal alteration minerals and secondary mineral deposits.…”

Section: Detection Of Volcano -Ice Environments On Marsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Glaciovolcanic hydrothermal environments in Iceland and implications for their detection on Mars

Cousins

Crawford

Carrivick

et al. 2013

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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Hydrothermal environments driven by volcanism are prime astrobiological targets on Mars, due to their ability to support and preserve microbial ecosystems. Volcano -ice interactions on On Earth, volcano -ice interactions produce many hydrothermal habitats available to microbial colonisation, and thus provide an analogue to past environments on Mars, where many landforms have been attributed to volcano -cryospheric interaction. However, Mars exploration urgently requires a framework for identifying such environments on a range of scales and with a range of geological criteria. In this paper rRemote sensing data were combined with sub-mm environmental mapping and sample analysis that included (X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thin section petrography, scanning electron microscopy, electron dispersive spectrometer analysis, and dissolved ion water chemistry,) to characterise samples from two areas of basaltic volcano -ice interaction: namely Askja and Kverkfjöll volcanoes in Iceland. Askja was erupted subglacially during the Pleistocene, and is now exposed within a volcanic desert. Kverkfjöll is a subglacial volcano beneath on the northern margin of Vatnajökull ice cap, and hosts active hydrothermal systems. NE-trending fissure swarm ridges extend between these two volcanic systems. Multiple Holocene glacial outburst (jökulhlaup) sedimentary deposits lie to the north of Kverkfjöll. Hydrothermal environments at Kverkfjöll were found to be predominantly acidic, with dissolved sulphate dominating the water chemistry. These hydrothermal environments vary across a small (<100 m) spatial scale, and include hot springs, anoxic pools, meltwater lakes, and sulphur-and iron-depositing fumaroles. Biomats, two in association with individual goethite and pyrite mineral terraces, were common at Kverkfjöll. In-situ and laboratory VNIR (440 -1000 nm) reflectance spectra representative of Mars rover multispectral imaging show spectral profiles to be influenced by Fe 2+/3+ -bearing minerals. Overall, sediments and lavas display two types of hydrothermal alteration: a low-temperature (<120°C) assemblage dominated by palagonite, sulfates, and iron oxides; and a high-temperature (>120°C) assemblage signified by heulandite and quartz. This Overall, this work provides a framework for identifying such environments during future exploration of Mars, given their high astrobiological potential, and Claire Cousins -BBK 14/08/12 3 provides a descriptive reference for the two prominent active hydrothermal environments at Kverkfjöllwhich can be used as analogues for those on Mars.

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Section: Detection Of Volcano -Ice Environments On Marsmentioning

confidence: 80%

Glaciovolcanic hydrothermal environments in Iceland and implications for their detection on Mars

Cousins

Crawford

Carrivick

et al. 2013

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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“…As an extremely ancient center of intrusive (plume)-related activity, which includes uplift, tectonism, and possible hydrothermal activity possibly during the period in which the magnetosphere was active, Claritas rise should be further targeted by orbiting Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecrafts. In addition, as a site of possible ancient hydrothermal activity, and thus elevated life potential (Schulze-Makuch et al, 2007), it should be considered a prime target for future lifedetection missions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This activity may include possible reactivation of older basement structures such as Claritas rise-centered faults. Claritas rise has been interpreted to be an ancient center of magmaticdriven activity, which includes uplift, tectonism, and possible hydrothermal and volcanic activity (Dohm et al, 2001a;Schulze-Makuch et al, 2007), though some of the strain history could result from stresses indicative of loading at the surface from volcanic construction (thus, we refer generally to the Claritas rise as magmatic-driven). Possibly corresponding with a distinct magnetic signature (Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New evidence for a magmatic influence on the origin of Valles Marineris, Mars

Dohm

Williams

Anderson

et al. 2009

Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research

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“…The mineral precipitates thus can contain organic remains. Modern hydrothermal precipitates yield biomarkers on analysis (Pancost et al 2005) and there is some evidence for biomarker preservation in ancient hydrothermal deposits (Bowden & Parnell 2007).They have been strongly advocated for astrobiological exploration (Farmer 2000) and the recent identification of possible hydrothermal sites on Mars (Schulze-Makuch et al 2007) has renewed interest in their potential for life.…”

Section: Diversity Of Crustsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surface mineral crusts: a potential strategy for sampling for evidence of life on Mars

Brolly

Parnell

Bowden

2018

International Journal of Astrobiology

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Surface mineral crusts on Earth are highly diverse and usually, contain microbial life. Crusts constitute an attractive target to search for life: they require water for their formation, they efficiently entrap organic matter and are relatively easy to sample and process. They hold a record of life in the form of microbial remains, biomolecules and carbon isotope composition. A miniaturized Raman spectrometer is included in the ExoMars 2020 payload as it is sensitive to a range of photosynthetic pigments. Samples from the Haughton Impact Structure, Canadian High Arctic and others, shows the preservation of pigments in a range of crust types, especially supra-permafrost carbonate crusts and cryptogamic crusts. The Raman spectral signatures of these crusts are shown along with biomarker analysis to showcase these techniques prior to the ExoMars 2020 mission. Carotenoids and other photoprotective microbial pigments are identified in the Haughton surface crusts using Raman spectroscopy. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses show a distribution of fatty acids which are most likely from a cyanobacterial source. The successful demonstration of these analyses in the Haughton Impact structure shows the biosignature of surface mineral crusts can be easily extracted and provides an excellent target for sampling evidence of life on Mars.

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Exploration of hydrothermal targets on Mars

Cited by 138 publications

References 144 publications

Glaciovolcanic hydrothermal environments in Iceland and implications for their detection on Mars

Glaciovolcanic hydrothermal environments in Iceland and implications for their detection on Mars

New evidence for a magmatic influence on the origin of Valles Marineris, Mars

Surface mineral crusts: a potential strategy for sampling for evidence of life on Mars

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