Correlating Aqueous Compositions

and Surface Morphologies on Mars

Nancy Thomas
Mentor: Joshua Bandfield, Earth & Space Sciences
Mars
Thin carbon dioxide atmosphere
Water is unstable now, but what
was it like in the past?
Polar ice caps and other water
indicators

Mineralogy on Mars
Minerals indicate the past conditions under which
they formed
Minerals formed in water on Mars indicate:
The presence of liquid water throughout the geological
history of Mars
The chance of past life on Mars
Spectroscopy
Mineral identification and
mapping through:
Spectroscopy minerals
have unique absorptions
which allow them to be
identified and
distinguished from one
another
Spectra signatures map
aqueous mineralogy













Compact Reconnaissance Imaging
Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM)
Spectral images from the
Mars Reconnaissance
Orbiter (MRO)
Used to identify a variety
of minerals from unique
absorptions at certain
wavelengths by
measuring reflectance
across 438 wavelengths
from 1.0 to 3.9 microns
CRISM Sulfate Index Map
2 km
Sulfate Rich Sulfate Poor
Hydrated Minerals
Valles Marineris
1800 km


Sulfates
Often precipitate as water
evaporates away
Some form in acidic
environments
Index indicates the depth of
the 2.2 micron absorption

Lab Spectra of Kieserite

Mars Spectrum
Wavelength (m)

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Wavelength (m)

Laboratory Spectrum



2 km
Sulfate Rich Sulfate Poor


Zeolites
Form in many aqueous environments on
Earth
The specific type of zeolite indicates specific
details about its formation environment
Index indicates the depth of the 2.6 micron
absorption
Laboratory Spectrum
Mars Spectrum


Wavelength (m)

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2 km
Zeolite Rich Zeolite Poor
Columbus Crater
1800 km
Sulfate and
Zeolite Ambiguity
Detailed spectral analysis to resolve spectral
ambiguity
Ambiguous unit adjacent to a gypsum bearing
surface - a polyhydrated sulfate
Spatial context tells us that sulfates would be
more likely to form together than with a zeolite

Laboratory Spectrum of Zeolite
Laboratory Spectrum of Sulfate

Columbus Crater Spectrum



Wavelength (m)

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Wavelength (m)

Mawrth Vallis
1800 km
Hydrated Silica
Water bearing, amorphous SiO2
Specific type of hydrated silica
indicates duration of exposure to
water
Index indicates the depth of the
2.1-2.3 micron absorption
Wavelength (m)

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Laboratory Spectrum
Mars Spectrum



2 km
Hydrated
Silica Rich
Hydrated
Silica Poor
Future Work with Hydrated Silica
Different forms indicate the degree of alteration
Beginning to compare these exposures in regions of Mars
including Mawrth Vallis, W. Hellas Basin and Syrtis Major
Look at the detailed spectral signature to categorize
degree of alteration

Conclusions
Spatial association of minerals provides crucial contextual
information
In the case of Columbus Crater, spatial association of
adjacent mineralogies led to a more definitive
interpretation of the evaporitic aqueous environment
We are starting to apply similar methodologies to map
hydrated silica compositions and determine the specific
aqueous formation conditions
Acknowledgments
Washington NASA Space Grant Consortium
Joshua Bandfield, Earth & Space Sciences
UW Remote Sensing Lab
THANK YOU!