Diagenetic silica enrichment and late-stage groundwater activity in Gale crater, Mars
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: External Repository
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Diagenetic silica enrichment in fracture-associated halos that crosscut lacustrine and unconformably overlying aeolian sedimentary bedrock is observed on the lower north slope of Aeolis Mons in Gale crater, Mars. The diagenetic silica enrichment is colocated with detrital silica enrichment observed in the lacustrine bedrock yet extends into a considerably younger, unconformably draping aeolian sandstone, implying that diagenetic silica enrichment postdates the detrital silica enrichment. A causal connection between the detrital and diagenetic silica enrichment implies that water was present in the subsurface of Gale crater long after deposition of the lacustrine sediments and that it mobilized detrital amorphous silica and precipitated it along fractures in the overlying bedrock. Although absolute timing is uncertain, the observed diagenesis likely represents some of the most recent groundwater activity in Gale crater and suggests that the timescale of potential habitability extended considerably beyond the time that the lacustrine sediments of Aeolis Mons were deposited.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Diagenetic silica enrichment and late-stage groundwater activity in Gale crater, Mars |
| Series title | Geophysical Research Letters |
| DOI | 10.1002/2017GL073323 |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue | 10 |
| Year Published | 2017 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Geophysical Union |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 4716 |
| Last page | 4724 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |