Geomorphology of Cape York and Solander Point, Examining Opportunity's destination at Endeavour Crater Options

[Stu]

Everyone, say hello to Cape York... in colour...



Larger version on my blog: http://roadtoendeavour.wordpress.com/2010/...-york-in-colour

[MarkG]

I have my doubts about wave erosion and shores, at least of a free liquid water surface during the briny times Endeavour was formed. I think Mars was too cold by then, any body of water would be mostly ice-covered. I do think that an ice-layer (maybe thin) over brine is worth considering. There could be a situation with the Martian atmosphere below the water triple point, but wet brine would exist under ice bound to the soil. If the brine started to pool, it would then evaporate, but the soil would stay wet, but no (or few) actual liquid pools. This wetness could mobilize the overlying ice layer if on or near a slope, and a little erosion could occur (remember the ramps and headlands of Victoria?). The rim of Endeavour has a different composition and is above the local water table, so it would have a different history. And any soil water would not have the same brine content. It would erode/be-overlain differently.

Remember also that Meridiani is not like many other areas of Mars, no other area of extensive Hematite anywhere near its size exists on Mars (there are a smattering of smaller areas). So its history is not the same as the ancient northern ocean.