In situ evidence for an ancient aqueous environment at Meridiani Planum, Mars
Science
By: S. W. Squyres, J.P. Grotzinger, R. E. Arvidson, J.F. Bell III, W. Calvin, P. R. Christensen, B. C. Clark, J.A. Crisp, W. H. Farrand, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, J. R. Johnson, G. Klingelhofer, A.H. Knoll, S. M. McLennan, H.Y. McSween Jr., R.V. Morris, J. W. Rice Jr., R. Rieder, and Laurence A. Soderblom
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Abstract
Sedimentary rocks at Eagle crater in Meridiani Planum are composed of fine-grained siliciclastic materials derived from weathering of basaltic rocks, sulfate minerals (including magnesium sulfate and jarosite) that constitute several tens of percent of the rock by weight, and hematite. Cross-stratification observed in rock outcrops indicates eolian and aqueous transport. Diagenetic features include hematite-rich concretions and crystal-mold vugs. We interpret the rocks to be a mixture of chemical and siliciclastic sediments with a complex diagenetic history. The environmental conditions that they record include episodic inundation by shallow surface water, evaporation, and desiccation. The geologic record at Meridiani Planum suggests that conditions were suitable for biological activity for a period of time in martian history.
Suggested Citation
Squyres, S.W., Grotzinger, J., Arvidson, R., Bell, J., Calvin, W., Christensen, P.R., Clark, B.C., Crisp, J., Farrand, W.H., Herkenhoff, K.E., Johnson, J.R., Klingelhofer, G., Knoll, A., McLennan, S.M., McSween, H., Morris, R., Rice, J.W., Rieder, R., and Soderblom, L.A., 2004, In situ evidence for an ancient aqueous environment at Meridiani Planum, Mars: Science, v. 306, no. 5702, p. 1709-1714, https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1104559.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | In situ evidence for an ancient aqueous environment at Meridiani Planum, Mars |
| Series title | Science |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.1104559 |
| Volume | 306 |
| Issue | 5702 |
| Year Published | 2004 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Science |
| First page | 1709 |
| Last page | 1714 |
| Other Geospatial | Mars; Meridiani Planum |