Multitechnique characterization of secondary minerals near HI-SEAS, Hawaii, as Martian subsurface analogues.

ABSTRACT: Secondary minerals in lava tubes on Earth provide valuable insight into subsurface processes and the preservation of biosignatures on Mars. Inside lava tubes near the Hawaii-Space Exploration and Analog Simulation (HI-SEAS) habitat on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, a variety of secondary deposits with distinct morphologies were observed consisting of mainly sodium sulphate powders, gypsum crystalline crusts, and small coralloid speleothems that comprise opal and calcite layers. These secondary deposits formed as a result of hydrological processes shortly after the formation and cooling of the lava tubes and are preserved over long periods of time in relatively dry conditions. The coralloid speleothem layers are likely related to wet and dry periods in which opal and calcite prec

SUBMITTER: Mulder SJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10730813 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature