Fluidized-sediment pipes in Gale crater, Mars, and possible Earth analogs
Geology
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Abstract
Since landing in Gale crater, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has traversed fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian sedimentary rocks that were deposited within the crater ∼3.6 to 3.2 b.y. ago. Here we describe structures interpreted to be pipes formed by vertical movement of fluidized sediment. Like many pipes on Earth, those in Gale crater are more resistant to erosion than the host rock; they form near other pipes, dikes, or deformed sediment; and some contain internal concentric or eccentric layering. These structures provide new evidence of the importance of subsurface aqueous processes in shaping the near-surface geology of Mars.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Fluidized-sediment pipes in Gale crater, Mars, and possible Earth analogs |
| Series title | Geology |
| DOI | 10.1130/G38339.1 |
| Volume | 45 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | January 01, 2017 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Geological Society of America |
| Contributing office(s) | Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| First page | 7 |
| Last page | 10 |