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| A possible terrestrial analogue for haematite concretions on Mars |
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| Author(s): Chan MA, Beitler B, Parry WT, Ormo J, Komatsu G |
| Source: NATURE Volume: 429 Issue: 6993 Pages: 731-734 Published: JUN 17 2004 |
| Times Cited: 54 References: 25 |
| Abstract: Recent exploration has revealed extensive geological evidence for a water-rich past in the shallow subsurface of Mars. Images of in situ and loose accumulations of abundant, haematite-rich spherical balls from the Mars Exploration Rover 'Opportunity' landing site at Meridiani Planum(1-3) bear a striking resemblance to diagenetic (post-depositional), haematite-cemented concretions found in the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone of southern Utah(4,5). Here we compare the spherical concretions imaged on Mars to these terrestrial concretions, and investigate the implications for analogous groundwater-related formation mechanisms. The morphology, character and distribution of Navajo haematite concretions allow us to infer host-rock properties and fluid processes necessary for similar features to develop on Mars. We conclude that the formation of such spherical haematite concretions requires the presence of a permeable host rock, groundwater flow and a chemical reaction front. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Chan, MA (reprint author), Univ Utah, Dept Geol & Geophys, 135 S 1460 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA |
Addresses:
1. Univ Utah, Dept Geol & Geophys, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 USA
2. Inst Nacl Tecn Aeroespacial, CSIC, Ctr Astrobiol, Madrid 28850, Spain
3. Univ G DAnnunzio, Int Res Sch Planetary Sci, I-65127 Pescara, Italy |
| Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, MACMILLAN BUILDING, 4 CRINAN ST, LONDON N1 9XW, ENGLAND |
| Subject Category: Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| IDS Number: 829OS |
| ISSN: 0028-0836 |
| DOI: 10.1038/nature02600 |
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