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AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets

 

Keywords

  • Mars
  • spring deposits
  • LTDs

Index Terms

  • Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects: Mars
  • Hydrology: Groundwater transport
  • Hydrology: Sedimentation
  • Hydrology: Water supply
  • Planetary Sciences: Astrobiology: Hydrothermal systems and weathering on other planets
Abstract
Cited By (24)
 

Abstract

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 113, E08016, 17 PP., 2008
doi:10.1029/2007JE003062

Large-scale spring deposits on Mars?

Angelo Pio Rossi

European Space Agency, Research and Scientific Support Department, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Gerhard Neukum

Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Monica Pondrelli

International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Università d'Annunzio, Pescara, Italy

Stephan van Gasselt

Institut für Geologische Wissenschaften, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

Tanja Zegers

European Space Agency, Research and Scientific Support Department, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Ernst Hauber

German Aerospace Center, Institute of Planetary Research, Berlin, Germany

Agustin Chicarro

European Space Agency, Research and Scientific Support Department, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands

Bernard Foing

European Space Agency, Research and Scientific Support Department, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Noordwijk, Netherlands

We present a large-scale spring hypothesis for the formation of various enigmatic light-toned deposits (LTDs) on Mars. Layered to massive LTDs occur extensively in Valles Marineris, chaotic terrains, and several large craters, in particular, those located in Arabia Terra. Most of these deposits are not easily explained with either a single process or multiple ones, either in combination or occurring sequentially. Spring deposits can have a very wide range of internal facies and exhibit complex architectural variations. We propose the concept of large-scale spring deposits for explaining LTDs on Mars. Stable volcano-tectonic settings, such as the ones typical on Mars, are compatible with a large-scale, long-term, multistage formation of spring deposits. The large-scale spring deposit model can explain the formation of LTDs with a common process, although active in different times and locations, compatible with coeval local or regional processes and deposits, such as volcaniclastic ones. LTDs, if formed as spring deposits derived from subsurface fluids, could potentially offer favorable conditions both to life and to the fossilization of past life forms.

Received 15 December 2007; accepted 3 June 2008; published 22 August 2008.

Citation: Rossi, A. P., G. Neukum, M. Pondrelli, S. van Gasselt, T. Zegers, E. Hauber, A. Chicarro, and B. Foing (2008), Large-scale spring deposits on Mars?, J. Geophys. Res., 113, E08016, doi:10.1029/2007JE003062.

Cited By

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