Geomorphology of Cape York, 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

[Phil Stooke]

The CRISM composition data certainly don't seem to point to a blueberry layer on Cape York... but it's certainly legitimate to ask why not, if the whole area was covered with the plains material and it has eroded away. One possible explanation - blueberries were more common in some areas than in others, and this may be an area where they were not found to begin with. Test - look for blueberries in the plains immediately adjacent to the Cape.

Phil

[centsworth_II]

The CRISM composition data certainly don't seem to point to a blueberry layer on Cape York... ...Test - look for blueberries in the plains immediately adjacent to the Cape.

This Pancam from sol 2658, about 1200 meters from Cape York, shows plenty of berries.

Does CRISM really show no hematite signal from Cape York, or is it just that that is not where the focus of attention is at? Phyllosilicate and hydrated sulphates are the focus, but does that mean the hematite is not there or just not being talked about?

I think I will be more surprised to see few berries on Cape York than many. Just because I think The Cape was covered by the same berry containing layers that eroded away and left berries over the rest of Oppy's route. But maybe berry forming layers never did extend over Cape York. It will be interesting to see.