Illuminating the martian rock cycle with regional geochemistry
Illuminating the martian rock cycle with regional geochemistry
Session ID#: 124439
Session Description:
Chemical maps of Mars, derived from the Mars Odyssey 2001 mission’s gamma and neutron spectrometers, regionally characterize the distribution of key elements at depth scales unmatched by other missions. Resulting works address unknowns of the martian rock cycle, such as changes across Noachian-Amazonian eons in pathways from igneous rocks to sediment to lithification. Those span soil alteration processes across Mars, thermal evolution of the mantle, provenance of globally distributed dust, etc. However, unresolved questions remain, such as the provenance of chemical provinces, evolution of individual volcanic provinces, and processes enriching K and Th in the lowlands. Accordingly, we solicit presentations on the synthesis of in situ and regional observations; on geological interpretations from regional geochemistry; and on refining the chemical maps. Regional geochemical context for in situ regolith evolution as at Jezero Crater, geochemical constraints on geophysical properties, and analog studies to interpret geochemical signatures are similarly welcome.
Index Terms:
1060 Planetary geochemistry [GEOCHEMISTRY]
5410 Composition [PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS]
5415 Erosion and weathering [PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS]
5455 Origin and evolution [PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS]
Primary Convener: Suniti Karunatillake, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
Conveners: James J Wray, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States, Rohana Chandrajith, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Department of Geology, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Vashan Wright, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, United States and Jennifer L Whitten, Tulane University, New Orleans, United States
Primary Liaison: James J Wray, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, United States
See more of: Planetary Sciences