A study of the record of ancient sedimentary rocks on Mars using MER, HiRISE and CRISM images

摘要

Many processes that operate on a planetary surface have the potential to create sedimentary deposits which when preserved as rocks can provide clues that allow past environmental conditions to be reconstructed. This work combines several studies using data from the Mars Exploration Rover and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft to examine the structure and sedimentology of the sedimentary rock record of Mars. The first study supports the dune-interdune model proposed for the formation of the deposits at the Opportunity landing site in Meridiani Planum and provides evidence that liquid water was involved to a greater extent in the formation of outcrops in Erebus crater. The next study identifies two depositional fan complexes on the floor of southwestern Melas Chasma and suggests that they may be sublacustrine in origin, which suggests the former presence of a significant body of water stable for at least 100 to 10,000 years. Furthermore, the basin containing the fans may be a complete source-to-sink system. The third study examines the geomorphic channel patterns present on analogue terrestrial submarine fans and deltas. The last study characterizes the extent and styles of deformation of sedimentary rocks in Valles Marineris and finds that subaerial or subaqueous gravitational slumping or sliding and soft-sediment deformation are potential mechanisms that may have caused the deformation.