Diagenesis of Vera Rubin Ridge, Gale Crater, Mars, From Mastcam Multispectral Images.

ABSTRACT: Images from the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission of lacustrine sedimentary rocks of Vera Rubin ridge on "Mt. Sharp" in Gale crater, Mars, have shown stark color variations from red to purple to gray. These color differences crosscut stratigraphy and are likely due to diagenetic alteration of the sediments after deposition. However, the chemistry and timing of these fluid interactions is unclear. Determining how diagenetic processes may have modified chemical and mineralogical signatures of ancient Martian environments is critical for understanding the past habitability of Mars and achieving the goals of the MSL mission. Here we use visible/near-infrared spectra from Mastcam and ChemCam to determine the mineralogical origins of color variations in the ridge. Color variations are consis

SUBMITTER: Horgan BHN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7685111 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature