EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Martínez-Alonso et al. 2005
Martínez-Alonso, S., Jakosky, B.M., Mellon, M.T. and Putzig, N.E. (2005). A volcanic interpretation of Gusev Crater surface materials from thermophysical, spectral, and morphological evidence. Journal of Geophysical Research 110. doi: 10.1029/2004JE002327. issn: 0148-0227.

Gusev Crater, the Mars Exploration Rover Spirit landing site (160 km diameter; 14.5¿S, 184.5¿W), has been identified in previous studies as a prime site of geological and exobiological interest on the basis of its potential for having hosted a fluviolacustrine environment; such environment may have been favorable for the development of biological activity. The origin and nature of the materials present at the surface of Gusev Crater are still being debated. In previous studies based on geomorphological and thermophysical data, surface materials in the crater have been interpreted as originating from fluviolacustrine, volcanic, or aeolian processes, or combinations thereof. We present results from the analysis of newly compiled thermophysical (Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS)), spectroscopic (TES), and visible (THEMIS and Mars Observer Camera) data for the Gusev region. These data were analyzed using a new mosaicking technique developed to match the values of contiguous scenes and to produce seamless mosaics apt for geological interpretation. Thermophysical, spectroscopic, and morphological evidence point to the presence of local outcrops of lava flows of basaltic composition, materials consistent with a regolith developed from basaltic materials, fine-grained deposits of basaltic composition strongly modified by wind erosion, and wind deposits. According to these findings, we conclude that most of the materials occupying the present surface of Gusev have characteristics consistent with those of volcanic and aeolian deposits. Fluviolacustrine deposits proposed by other authors may exist under the volcanic materials and may be exposed in impact craters.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Remote sensing, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Surface materials and properties, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Composition (1060, 3672), Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Physical properties of materials, Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars, Mars, Gusev, thermophysical properties, spectroscopic properties, surface properties
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit