Came across a couple of cracking papers on Mars geology
1) Ancient Martian aeolian processes and palaeomorphology reconstructed from the Stimson formation on the lower slope of Aeolis Mons, Gale crater, Mars - Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
During its travels, the Mars Curiosity Rover has been taking some exquisite pictures of landscapes and rock outcrops. This study uses field photos of a sandstone body and analyses its ancient depositional setting. The sandstone is a dune field, created and shaped by aeolian processes. The overall aim is to better understand the sedimentary environments on Mars, how they changed over time, and whether they could have been habitable environments.
Just take a look at the spectacular cross bedding and bed sets of the dune.
Source: Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
And here is a depiction of the regional setting of the dune field
Source: Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
2) A Field Guide To Finding Life On Mars- S. McMohan et. al. 2018
Excerpt: This paper reviews the rocks and minerals on Mars that could potentially host fossils or other signs of ancient life preserved since Mars was warmer and wetter billions of years ago. We apply recent results from the study of Earth’s fossil record and fossilization processes, and from the geological exploration of Mars by rovers and orbiters, in order to select the most favoured targets for astrobiological missions to Mars. We conclude that mudstones rich in silica and iron-bearing clays currently offer the best hope of finding fossils on Mars and should be prioritized, but that several other options warrant further research. We also recommend further experimental work on how fossilization processes operate under conditions analogous to early Mars.
I got to relearn a good bit about how depositional settings, mineralogy and geochemistry influence organic matter preservation.
Both Open Access.
1) Ancient Martian aeolian processes and palaeomorphology reconstructed from the Stimson formation on the lower slope of Aeolis Mons, Gale crater, Mars - Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
During its travels, the Mars Curiosity Rover has been taking some exquisite pictures of landscapes and rock outcrops. This study uses field photos of a sandstone body and analyses its ancient depositional setting. The sandstone is a dune field, created and shaped by aeolian processes. The overall aim is to better understand the sedimentary environments on Mars, how they changed over time, and whether they could have been habitable environments.
Just take a look at the spectacular cross bedding and bed sets of the dune.
Source: Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
And here is a depiction of the regional setting of the dune field
Source: Steven G. Banham et. al. 2017
2) A Field Guide To Finding Life On Mars- S. McMohan et. al. 2018
Excerpt: This paper reviews the rocks and minerals on Mars that could potentially host fossils or other signs of ancient life preserved since Mars was warmer and wetter billions of years ago. We apply recent results from the study of Earth’s fossil record and fossilization processes, and from the geological exploration of Mars by rovers and orbiters, in order to select the most favoured targets for astrobiological missions to Mars. We conclude that mudstones rich in silica and iron-bearing clays currently offer the best hope of finding fossils on Mars and should be prioritized, but that several other options warrant further research. We also recommend further experimental work on how fossilization processes operate under conditions analogous to early Mars.
I got to relearn a good bit about how depositional settings, mineralogy and geochemistry influence organic matter preservation.
Both Open Access.
Glad you enjoyed the paper!
ReplyDeleteWe are currently working on the follow up paper, which will better constrain the dune field size, and the mechanisms of accumulation! Watch this space :-)
Looking forward! thanks for the update.. :)
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