Geomorphology of Gale Crater, Rock on! |
Geomorphology of Gale Crater, Rock on! |
Sep 26 2012, 10:22 PM
Post
#1
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 3516 Joined: 4-November 05 From: North Wales Member No.: 542 |
I'd like a discussion thread about the geology detatched from the time limits of current MSL threads. We had a 'Geomorphology of Cape York' thread that attracted a lot of interesting posts. How about 'Geomorphology of Gale Crater'? I have one or two ideas but many more questions, and I'd like to post them in a longer-running thread away from the day to day imaging discussion. Any other takers?
For starters, does anybody have a contour map of this place like the one at Meridiani with 5m intervals? ADMIN: You have your wishes fulfilled on UMSF (sometimes) |
|
|
Jun 7 2019, 06:33 AM
Post
#2
|
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1044 Joined: 17-February 09 Member No.: 4605 |
HSchirmer, could I perhaps suggest that you may like to post images as thumbnails, it would make your posts easier to read.
It is now clear that Vera Rubin Ridge was laid down as part of the Murray formation and the erosion resistance is a product of post deposition diagenetic/alteration episodes. The comparative hematite, phyllosilicate, amorphous and opal CT proportions with elevation combined with the identification of akaganeite is indicative of low pH fluids infiltrating from above. The likely formation candidates from the options proposed to date are a springline during the Mount Sharpe erosion process or a much earlier, low energy stream after the lake dried. It is pretty clear that clay rich Glen Torridon is not associated with the Murray formation, is possibly cemented with clay and does not seem to have undergone significant compaction. I retain the belief that this formed following the erosion of the Murray formation on both sides of the resistant ridge, and is potentially a function of the formation of the fan. Basalt buffered water and sediment originating in upper Mount Sharp pooling in the hollow between ridge and mount. In the absence of tidal influences the rhythmic laminations or “bundling” could well reflect a shallow lake with annual ice cover. During winter dust collects on the ice and on thawing settles to form the thin laminations. During summer ice on the mount melts and a thicker layer of sediment is deposited. Or it could be something completely different which the experts, having actual data to work with will advise in due course. |
|
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 1st June 2024 - 12:58 AM |
RULES AND GUIDELINES Please read the Forum Rules and Guidelines before posting. IMAGE COPYRIGHT |
OPINIONS AND MODERATION Opinions expressed on UnmannedSpaceflight.com are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of UnmannedSpaceflight.com or The Planetary Society. The all-volunteer UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderation team is wholly independent of The Planetary Society. The Planetary Society has no influence over decisions made by the UnmannedSpaceflight.com moderators. |
SUPPORT THE FORUM Unmannedspaceflight.com is funded by the Planetary Society. Please consider supporting our work and many other projects by donating to the Society or becoming a member. |