Fluidized-sediment pipes in Gale crater, Mars, and possible Earth analogs

David M. Rubin; A.G. Fairen; J. Frydenvang; O. Gasnault; Guy R. Gelfenbaum; W. Goetz; J.P. Grotzinger; S. Le Mouélic; N. Mangold; H. Newsom; D. Z. Oehler; W. Rapin; J. Schieber; R. C. Wiens

doi:10.1130/G38339.1

Fluidized-sediment pipes in Gale crater, Mars, and possible Earth analogs

Geology

By: David M. Rubin, A.G. Fairen, J. Frydenvang, O. Gasnault, Guy R. Gelfenbaum, W. Goetz, J.P. Grotzinger, S. Le Mouélic, N. Mangold, H. Newsom, D. Z. Oehler, W. Rapin, J. Schieber, and R. C. Wiens

https://doi.org/10.1130/G38339.1

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Abstract

Since landing in Gale crater, the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity has traversed fluvial, lacustrine, and eolian sedimentary rocks that were deposited within the crater ∼3.6 to 3.2 b.y. ago. Here we describe structures interpreted to be pipes formed by vertical movement of fluidized sediment. Like many pipes on Earth, those in Gale crater are more resistant to erosion than the host rock; they form near other pipes, dikes, or deformed sediment; and some contain internal concentric or eccentric layering. These structures provide new evidence of the importance of subsurface aqueous processes in shaping the near-surface geology of Mars.

Additional publication details
Publication type	Article
Publication Subtype	Journal Article
Title	Fluidized-sediment pipes in Gale crater, Mars, and possible Earth analogs
Series title	Geology
DOI	10.1130/G38339.1
Volume	45
Issue	1
Year Published	2017
Language	English
Publisher	Geological Society of America
Contributing office(s)	Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description	4 p.
First page	7
Last page	10
Google Analytic Metrics	Metrics page