Mineralogy of a mudstone at Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars

Science. 2014 Jan 24;343(6169):1243480. doi: 10.1126/science.1243480. Epub 2013 Dec 9.

Abstract

Sedimentary rocks at Yellowknife Bay (Gale crater) on Mars include mudstone sampled by the Curiosity rover. The samples, John Klein and Cumberland, contain detrital basaltic minerals, calcium sulfates, iron oxide or hydroxides, iron sulfides, amorphous material, and trioctahedral smectites. The John Klein smectite has basal spacing of ~10 angstroms, indicating little interlayer hydration. The Cumberland smectite has basal spacing at both ~13.2 and ~10 angstroms. The larger spacing suggests a partially chloritized interlayer or interlayer magnesium or calcium facilitating H2O retention. Basaltic minerals in the mudstone are similar to those in nearby eolian deposits. However, the mudstone has far less Fe-forsterite, possibly lost with formation of smectite plus magnetite. Late Noachian/Early Hesperian or younger age indicates that clay mineral formation on Mars extended beyond Noachian time.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Extraterrestrial Environment / chemistry*
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / analysis
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide / chemistry
  • Geologic Sediments / analysis
  • Geologic Sediments / chemistry*
  • Mars*
  • Minerals / analysis
  • Minerals / chemistry*
  • Silicates / analysis
  • Silicates / chemistry
  • Silicon Compounds / analysis
  • Silicon Compounds / chemistry

Substances

  • Minerals
  • Silicates
  • Silicon Compounds
  • basalt
  • forsterite
  • Smectite
  • Ferrosoferric Oxide