A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover.
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| Title: | A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover. |
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| Authors: | Edgar, L. A.1 ledgar@usgs.gov, Fedo, C. M.2, Gupta, S.3, Banham, S. G.3, Fraeman, A. A.4, Grotzinger, J. P.5, Stack, K. M.4, Stein, N. T.5, Bennett, K. A.1, Rivera‐Hernández, F.6, Sun, V.Z.4, Edgett, K. S.7, Rubin, D. M.8, House, C.9, Van Beek, J.4 |
| Source: | Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets. Mar2020, Vol. 125 Issue 3, p1-22. 22p. |
| Subject Terms: | Observations of Mars, Sedimentology, Stratigraphic geology, Gale Crater (Mars) |
| Company/Entity: | Curiosity (Spacecraft) |
| Abstract: | For ~500 Martian solar days (sols), the Mars Science Laboratory team explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on the northwest slope of Aeolis Mons. Here we review the sedimentary facies and stratigraphy observed during sols 1,800–2,300, covering more than 100 m of stratigraphic thickness. Curiosity's traverse includes two transects across the ridge, which enables investigation of lateral variability over a distance of ~300 m. Three informally named stratigraphic members of the Murray formation are described: Blunts Point, Pettegrove Point, and Jura, with the latter two exposed on VRR. The Blunts Point member, exposed just below the ridge, is characterized by a recessive, fine‐grained facies that exhibits extensive planar lamination and is crosscut by abundant curvi‐planar veins. The Pettegrove Point member is more resistant, fine‐grained, thinly planar laminated, and contains a higher abundance of diagenetic concretions. Conformable above the Pettegrove Point member is the Jura member, which is also fine‐grained and parallel stratified, but is marked by a distinct step in topography, which coincides with localized meter‐scale inclined strata, a thinly and thickly laminated facies, and occasional crystal molds. All members record low‐energy lacustrine deposition, consistent with prior observations of the Murray formation. Uncommon outcrops of low‐angle stratification suggest possible subaqueous currents, and steeply inclined beds may be the result of slumping. Collectively, the rocks exposed at VRR provide additional evidence for a long‐lived lacustrine environment (in excess of 106 years via comparison to terrestrial records of sedimentation), which extends our understanding of the duration of habitable conditions in Gale crater. Plain language summary: The primary goal of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover mission is to explore and assess ancient habitable environments on Mars. This requires a detailed understanding of the environments recorded by sedimentary rocks exposed at the present‐day surface in Gale crater. Here we review the types of sedimentary rocks exposed at a location known as Vera Rubin ridge. We find that the rocks at Vera Rubin ridge record an ancient lake environment and are a continuation of underlying lake deposits. Ancient lake deposits are highly desirable targets in the search for habitable environments, due to their ability to concentrate and preserve organic matter. This study significantly expands the duration of habitable conditions that can be confirmed through ground truth of sedimentary rocks and provides a framework for interpreting strata that lie ahead as Curiosity continues to explore Aeolis Mons. Key Points: Six sedimentary facies were identified at and just below Vera Rubin ridge and comprise three members of the Murray formationVera Rubin ridge records deposition in a lacustrine environment, which expands the duration of habitable conditions observed in GaleThe facies and stratigraphy identified here serve as a framework for interpreting strata within the Glen Torridon region and beyond [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
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| Header | DbId: 8gh DbLabel: GreenFILE An: 142422834 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Edgar%2C+L%2E+A%2E%22">Edgar, L. A.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> ledgar@usgs.gov</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fedo%2C+C%2E+M%2E%22">Fedo, C. M.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gupta%2C+S%2E%22">Gupta, S.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Banham%2C+S%2E+G%2E%22">Banham, S. G.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fraeman%2C+A%2E+A%2E%22">Fraeman, A. A.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Grotzinger%2C+J%2E+P%2E%22">Grotzinger, J. P.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stack%2C+K%2E+M%2E%22">Stack, K. M.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Stein%2C+N%2E+T%2E%22">Stein, N. T.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bennett%2C+K%2E+A%2E%22">Bennett, K. A.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rivera‐Hernández%2C+F%2E%22">Rivera‐Hernández, F.</searchLink><relatesTo>6</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sun%2C+V%2EZ%2E%22">Sun, V.Z.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Edgett%2C+K%2E+S%2E%22">Edgett, K. S.</searchLink><relatesTo>7</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rubin%2C+D%2E+M%2E%22">Rubin, D. M.</searchLink><relatesTo>8</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22House%2C+C%2E%22">House, C.</searchLink><relatesTo>9</relatesTo><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Van+Beek%2C+J%2E%22">Van Beek, J.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Geophysical+Research%2E+Planets%22">Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets</searchLink>. Mar2020, Vol. 125 Issue 3, p1-22. 22p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Observations+of+Mars%22">Observations of Mars</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sedimentology%22">Sedimentology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Stratigraphic+geology%22">Stratigraphic geology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gale+Crater+%28Mars%29%22">Gale Crater (Mars)</searchLink> – Name: SubjectCompany Label: Company/Entity Group: Su Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curiosity+%28Spacecraft%29%22">Curiosity (Spacecraft)</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: For ~500 Martian solar days (sols), the Mars Science Laboratory team explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on the northwest slope of Aeolis Mons. Here we review the sedimentary facies and stratigraphy observed during sols 1,800–2,300, covering more than 100 m of stratigraphic thickness. Curiosity's traverse includes two transects across the ridge, which enables investigation of lateral variability over a distance of ~300 m. Three informally named stratigraphic members of the Murray formation are described: Blunts Point, Pettegrove Point, and Jura, with the latter two exposed on VRR. The Blunts Point member, exposed just below the ridge, is characterized by a recessive, fine‐grained facies that exhibits extensive planar lamination and is crosscut by abundant curvi‐planar veins. The Pettegrove Point member is more resistant, fine‐grained, thinly planar laminated, and contains a higher abundance of diagenetic concretions. Conformable above the Pettegrove Point member is the Jura member, which is also fine‐grained and parallel stratified, but is marked by a distinct step in topography, which coincides with localized meter‐scale inclined strata, a thinly and thickly laminated facies, and occasional crystal molds. All members record low‐energy lacustrine deposition, consistent with prior observations of the Murray formation. Uncommon outcrops of low‐angle stratification suggest possible subaqueous currents, and steeply inclined beds may be the result of slumping. Collectively, the rocks exposed at VRR provide additional evidence for a long‐lived lacustrine environment (in excess of 106 years via comparison to terrestrial records of sedimentation), which extends our understanding of the duration of habitable conditions in Gale crater. Plain language summary: The primary goal of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover mission is to explore and assess ancient habitable environments on Mars. This requires a detailed understanding of the environments recorded by sedimentary rocks exposed at the present‐day surface in Gale crater. Here we review the types of sedimentary rocks exposed at a location known as Vera Rubin ridge. We find that the rocks at Vera Rubin ridge record an ancient lake environment and are a continuation of underlying lake deposits. Ancient lake deposits are highly desirable targets in the search for habitable environments, due to their ability to concentrate and preserve organic matter. This study significantly expands the duration of habitable conditions that can be confirmed through ground truth of sedimentary rocks and provides a framework for interpreting strata that lie ahead as Curiosity continues to explore Aeolis Mons. Key Points: Six sedimentary facies were identified at and just below Vera Rubin ridge and comprise three members of the Murray formationVera Rubin ridge records deposition in a lacustrine environment, which expands the duration of habitable conditions observed in GaleThe facies and stratigraphy identified here serve as a framework for interpreting strata within the Glen Torridon region and beyond [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
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| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1029/2019JE006307 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 22 StartPage: 1 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Observations of Mars Type: general – SubjectFull: Sedimentology Type: general – SubjectFull: Stratigraphic geology Type: general – SubjectFull: Gale Crater (Mars) Type: general – SubjectFull: Curiosity (Spacecraft) Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Edgar, L. A. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Fedo, C. M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Gupta, S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Banham, S. G. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Fraeman, A. A. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Grotzinger, J. P. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Stack, K. M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Stein, N. T. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Bennett, K. A. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Rivera‐Hernández, F. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Sun, V.Z. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Edgett, K. S. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Rubin, D. M. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: House, C. – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Van Beek, J. IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 03 Text: Mar2020 Type: published Y: 2020 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 21699097 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 125 – Type: issue Value: 3 Titles: – TitleFull: Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets Type: main |
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