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Phyllosilicate diversity and past aqueous activity revealed at Mawrth Vallis, Mars

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dc.contributor.authorBishop, Janice L.
dc.contributor.authorNoe Dobrea, Eldar Z.
dc.contributor.authorMcKeown, Nancy K.
dc.contributor.authorParente, Mario
dc.contributor.authorEhlmann, Bethany L.
dc.contributor.authorMichalski, Joseph R.
dc.contributor.authorMilliken, Ralph E.
dc.contributor.authorPoulet, Francois
dc.contributor.authorSwayze, Gregg A.
dc.contributor.authorMustard, John F.
dc.contributor.authorMurchie, Scott L.
dc.contributor.authorBibring, Jean-Pierre
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-15
dc.date.accessioned2022-05-31T01:15:52Z
dc.date.available2022-05-31T01:15:52Z
dc.date.issued2008
dc.description.abstractObservations by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars in the Mawrth Vallis region show several phyllosilicate species, indicating a wide range of past aqueous activity. Iron/magnesium (Fe/Mg)--smectite is observed in light-toned outcrops that probably formed via aqueous alteration of basalt of the ancient cratered terrain. This unit is overlain by rocks rich in hydrated silica, montmorillonite, and kaolinite that may have formed via subsequent leaching of Fe and Mg through extended aqueous events or a change in aqueous chemistry. A spectral feature attributed to an Fe²⁺ phase is present in many locations in the Mawrth Vallis region at the transition from Fe/Mg-smectite to aluminum/silicon (Al/Si)--rich units. Fe²⁺-bearing materials in terrestrial sediments are typically associated with microorganisms or changes in pH or cations and could be explained here by hydrothermal activity. The stratigraphy of Fe/Mg-smectite overlain by a ferrous phase, hydrated silica, and then Al-phyllosilicates implies a complex aqueous history.
dc.description.urihttps://library.macewan.ca/full-record/edsjsr/edsjsr.20144559
dc.identifier.citationBishop, J.L., Noe Dobrea, E. Z., McKeown, N. K., Parente, M., Ehlmann, B. L., Michalski, J. R., Milliken, R. E., Poulet, F., Swayze, G. A., Mustard, J. F., Murchie, S. L., & Bibring, J.-P. (2008). Phyllosilicate diversity and past aqueous activity revealed at Mawrth Vallis, Mars. Science, 321, 830-833. doi: 10.1126/science.1159699.
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1126/science.1159699
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14078/1929
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoen
dc.rightsAll Rights Reserved
dc.subjectMars
dc.subjectspectral bands
dc.subjectkaolinite
dc.subjectsmectite
dc.subjectclays
dc.subjectspectral index
dc.subjectmontmorillonite
dc.subjectsurface texture
dc.titlePhyllosilicate diversity and past aqueous activity revealed at Mawrth Vallis, Marsen
dc.typeArticle

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Department of Physical Sciences