Sedimentary textures formed by aqueous processes, Erebus crater Meridiani Planum, Mars

J. Grotzinger; III Bell; K. Herkenhoff; J. Johnson; A. Knoll; E. McCartney; S. McLennan; J. Metz; J. Moore; S. Squyres; R. Sullivan; O. Ahronson; R. Arvidson; B. Joliff; M. Golombek; K. Lewis; T. Parker; J. Soderblom

doi:10.1130/G22985A.1

Sedimentary textures formed by aqueous processes, Erebus crater Meridiani Planum, Mars

J. Grotzinger, III Bell, K. Herkenhoff, J. Johnson, A. Knoll, E. McCartney, S. McLennan, J. Metz, J. Moore, S. Squyres, R. Sullivan, O. Ahronson, R. Arvidson, B. Joliff, M. Golombek, K. Lewis, T. Parker, J. Soderblom

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74 Scopus citations

Abstract

New observations at Erebus crater (Olympia outcrop) by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity between sols 671 and 735 (a sol is a martian day) indicate that a diverse suite of primary and penecontemporaneous sedimentary structures is preserved in sulfate-rich bedrock. Centimeter-scale trough (festoon) cross-lamination is abundant, and is better expressed and thicker than previously described examples. Postdepositional shrinkage cracks in the same outcrop are interpreted to have formed in response to desiccation. Considered collectively, this suite of sedimentary structures provides strong support for the involvement of liquid water during accumulation of sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	1085-1088
Number of pages	4
Journal	Geology
Volume	34
Issue number	12
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1130/G22985A.1
State	Published - Dec 2006
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Cross-lamination
Mars
Sedimentary structures
Shrinkage cracks
Water

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Geology

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10.1130/G22985A.1

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Grotzinger, J., Bell, III., Herkenhoff, K., Johnson, J., Knoll, A., McCartney, E., McLennan, S., Metz, J., Moore, J., Squyres, S., Sullivan, R., Ahronson, O., Arvidson, R., Joliff, B., Golombek, M., Lewis, K., Parker, T., & Soderblom, J. (2006). Sedimentary textures formed by aqueous processes, Erebus crater Meridiani Planum, Mars. Geology, 34(12), 1085-1088. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22985A.1

Grotzinger, J, Bell, III, Herkenhoff, K, Johnson, J, Knoll, A, McCartney, E, McLennan, S, Metz, J, Moore, J, Squyres, S, Sullivan, R, Ahronson, O, Arvidson, R, Joliff, B, Golombek, M, Lewis, K, Parker, T & Soderblom, J 2006, 'Sedimentary textures formed by aqueous processes, Erebus crater Meridiani Planum, Mars', Geology, vol. 34, no. 12, pp. 1085-1088. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22985A.1

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abstract = "New observations at Erebus crater (Olympia outcrop) by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity between sols 671 and 735 (a sol is a martian day) indicate that a diverse suite of primary and penecontemporaneous sedimentary structures is preserved in sulfate-rich bedrock. Centimeter-scale trough (festoon) cross-lamination is abundant, and is better expressed and thicker than previously described examples. Postdepositional shrinkage cracks in the same outcrop are interpreted to have formed in response to desiccation. Considered collectively, this suite of sedimentary structures provides strong support for the involvement of liquid water during accumulation of sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum.",

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AU - Johnson, J.

AU - Knoll, A.

AU - McCartney, E.

AU - McLennan, S.

AU - Metz, J.

AU - Moore, J.

AU - Squyres, S.

AU - Sullivan, R.

AU - Ahronson, O.

AU - Arvidson, R.

AU - Joliff, B.

AU - Golombek, M.

AU - Lewis, K.

AU - Parker, T.

AU - Soderblom, J.

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AB - New observations at Erebus crater (Olympia outcrop) by the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity between sols 671 and 735 (a sol is a martian day) indicate that a diverse suite of primary and penecontemporaneous sedimentary structures is preserved in sulfate-rich bedrock. Centimeter-scale trough (festoon) cross-lamination is abundant, and is better expressed and thicker than previously described examples. Postdepositional shrinkage cracks in the same outcrop are interpreted to have formed in response to desiccation. Considered collectively, this suite of sedimentary structures provides strong support for the involvement of liquid water during accumulation of sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum.

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KW - Sedimentary structures

KW - Shrinkage cracks

KW - Water

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Sedimentary textures formed by aqueous processes, Erebus crater Meridiani Planum, Mars

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