The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest

N.T. Bridges; F.J. Calef III; B.W. Hallett; Kenneth E. Herkenhoff; N.L. Lanza; S. Le Mouélic; C.E. Newman; D.L. Blaney; M.A. de Pablo; G.A. Kocurek; Y. Langevin; K.W. Lewis; N. Mangold; S. Maurice; P.-Y. Meslin; P. Pinet; N.O. Renno; CM.S. Rice; M.E. Richardson; V. Sautter; R.S. Sletten; R. C. Wiens; R.A. Yingst

doi:10.1002/2013JE004579

The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest

Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets

By: N.T. Bridges, F.J. Calef III, B.W. Hallett, Kenneth E. Herkenhoff, N.L. Lanza, S. Le Mouélic, C.E. Newman, D.L. Blaney, M.A. de Pablo, G.A. Kocurek, Y. Langevin, K.W. Lewis, N. Mangold, S. Maurice, P.-Y. Meslin, P. Pinet, N.O. Renno, CM.S. Rice, M.E. Richardson, V. Sautter, R.S. Sletten, R. C. Wiens, and R.A. Yingst

https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JE004579

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Abstract

Ventifacts, rocks abraded by wind-borne particles, are found in Gale Crater, Mars. In the eastward drive from “Bradbury Landing” to “Rocknest,” they account for about half of the float and outcrop seen by Curiosity's cameras. Many are faceted and exhibit abrasion textures found at a range of scales, from submillimeter lineations to centimeter-scale facets, scallops, flutes, and grooves. The drive path geometry in the first 100 sols of the mission emphasized the identification of abrasion facets and textures formed by westerly flow. This upwind direction is inconsistent with predictions based on models and the orientation of regional dunes, suggesting that these ventifact features formed from very rare high-speed winds. The absence of active sand and evidence for deflation in the area indicates that most of the ventifacts are fossil features experiencing little abrasion today.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest
Series title	Journal of Geophysical Research E: Planets
DOI	10.1002/2013JE004579
Volume	119
Year Published	2014
Language	English
Publisher	American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s)	Astrogeology Science Center
Description	15 p.
First page	1374
Last page	1389
Other Geospatial	Bradbury Landing, Gale Crater, Mars, Rocknest
Online Only (Y/N)	N
Additional Online Files (Y/N)	N
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page