See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Geological and Geophysical Remote Sensing Applications for Earth, the Moon, and Mars
Abstract:
Clays in the Noachian units in the ULM system consist almost entirely of Fe/Mg smectites, suggesting water-to-rock ratios were too low or aqueous conditions too short lived for significant dissolution and formation of secondary Al-bearing phases (e.g. feldspar to kaolinite). This is in contrast to the regional morphology, which suggests that the ULM system records a long history of deposition, erosion, and aqueous processes. Surrounding crater walls and rims contain clays and exhibit fluvial erosion patterns, suggesting they are local source areas. However, the spectral strength of clay features in potential source regions are commonly weaker than clay signatures in the deposits to which they contribute. This may be caused by a preferential accumulation of fine-grained clay-rich material in rock types associated with certain depositional settings (e.g. mudstones/shales) or by in situ formation of clays in standing bodies of water. Sedimentary deposits such as these, which can potentially be linked to their source region, are excellent targets for future exploration and sample return.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Geological and Geophysical Remote Sensing Applications for Earth, the Moon, and Mars