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At least 91 records · Page 5
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NASA NTRS2020

Decorrelation Stretches (DCS) of Visible Images as a Tool for Sedimentary Provenance Investigations on Earth and Mars

The surface of Mars exhibits vast expanses of mafic sediments and ancient sedimentary rocks that record signals of climate and environment. To decipher the paleoenvironments, the sediment sources and transport histories must be con-strained, but it is not well known how physical fractionation and aqueous alteration affect mafic sediments during glacial, eolian, and fluvial processes. Semi-Autonomous Navigation for Detrital Environments (SAND-E), a NASA Planetary Science and Technology through Analog Research (PSTAR) project, bridges this gap through studies of sediment-grain properties and mineralogy in the glacio-XRD)-derived mineralogies.

Sinha, P.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Mineralogy and Sedimentary History of the Glen Torridon Region, Gale Crater, Mars

Gale crater was selected as Curiosity’s landing site largely because, from orbit, phyllosilicate-rich strata were identified on the slopes of Mt. Sharp. This phyllosilicate unit was later dubbed the Glen Torridon (GT) region, and the rover has been traversing this region since early January 2019. On Earth, phyllosilicates in the rock record preserve a history of aqueous conditions, overprinted with paleoclimate and environmental signatures. Thus, the GT is a highly anticipated region of exploration in Gale crater, and the mineralogy of its sedimentary rocks may provide clues to its ancient origin.

M. T. Thorpe↗
NASA NTRS2020

Evidence for Multiple Diagenetic Episodes in Ancient Fluvial‐Lacustrine Sedimentary Rocks in Gale Crater, Mars

The Curiosity rover's exploration of rocks and soils in Gale crater has provided diverse geochemical and mineralogical data sets, underscoring the complex geological history of the region. We report the crystalline, clay mineral, and amorphous phase distributions of four Gale crater rocks from an 80‐m stratigraphic interval. The mineralogy of the four samples is strongly influenced by aqueous alteration processes, including variations in water chemistries, redox, pH, and temperature. Localized hydrothermal events are evidenced by gray hematite and maturation of amorphous SiO 2 to opal‐CT. Low‐temperature diagenetic events are associated with fluctuating lake levels, evaporative events, and ground water infiltration. Among all mudstones analyzed in Gale crater, the diversity in diagenetic processes is primarily captured by the mineralogy and X‐ray amorphous chemistry of the drilled rocks. Variations indicate a transition from magnetite to hematite and an increase in matrix‐associated sulfates suggesting intensifying influence from oxic, diagenetic fluids up section. Furthermore, diagenetic fluid pathways are shown to be strongly affected by unconformities and sedimentary transitions, as evidenced by the intensity of alteration inferred from the mineralogy of sediments sampled adjacent to stratigraphic contacts.

C N Achilles↗
NASA NTRS2022

Evolved Gas Analyses of Sedimentary Rocks from the Glen Torridon Clay-Bearing Unit, Gale Crater, Mars: Results From the Mars Science Laboratory Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite

Evolved gas analysis (EGA) data from the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite indicated Fe-rich smectite, carbonate, oxidized organics, Fe/Mg sulfate, and chloride in sedimentary rocks from the Glen Torridon (GT) region of Gale crater that displayed phyllosilicate spectral signatures from orbit. SAM evolved H2O data indicated that the primary phyllosilicate in all GT samples was an Fe-rich dioctahedral smectite (e.g., nontronite) with lesser amounts of a phyllosilicate such as mixed layer talc-serpentine or greenalite-minnesotaite. CO(2) data supported the identification of siderite in several samples, and CO(2) and CO data was also consistent with trace oxidized organic compounds such as oxalate salts. SO(2) data indicated trace and/or amorphous Fe sulfates in all samples and one sample may contain Fe sulfides. SO(2) data points to significant Mg sulfates in two samples, and lesser amounts in several other samples. A lack of evolved O(2) indicated the absence of oxychlorine salts and Mn3+/Mn4+ oxides. The lack of, or very minor, evolved NO revealed absent or very trace nitrate/nitrite salts. HCl data suggested chloride salts in GT samples. Constraints from EGA data on mineralogy and chemistry indicated that the environmental history of GT involved alteration with fluids of variable redox potential, chemistry and pH under a range of fluid-to-rock ratio conditions. Several of the fluid episodes could have provided habitable environmental conditions and carbon would have been available to any past microbes though the lack of significant N could have been a limiting factor for microbial habitability in the GT region.

A. C. McAdam↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

Regional Paleoenvironments Recorded in Sedimentary Rocks of the Western Fan-Delta, Jezero Crater, Mars.

The Mars 2020 Perseverance rover science team recently completed an investigation of the fan-delta sedimentary sequence [1] and has begun exploration of the crater margin. High resolution chemical, mineralogical, and morphological observations collected with the rover instrument payload provide powerful constraints on rock origins, contextualizing the suite of high-value samples collected as part of the Mars Sample Return campaign.

Mars 2020↗
NASA NTRS1973

Sedimentary features on the surface of Mars as seen from Mariner 6 and 7 photographs

Martian sedimentation is primarily aeolian with the principal source areas being the cratered highlands. Lighter albedo in areas of sedimentation may be due to minerals of smaller grain size and/or lighter specific gravity. Martian erosion sedimentation seems to be active as evidenced by removal and/or burial of ejecta mounds and ray ejecta patterns around fresh bowl shaped craters. It is suggested that at least some chaotic terrain may be formed by aeolian removal of material in areas of closely spaced faulting. Transitional areas between uplands and basins are sometimes muted by down slope winds.

Parsley, R. L.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Capability of ERTS-1 imagery to investigate geological and structural features in a sedimentary basin (Bassin Parisien, France)

The author has identified the following significant results. The region covered by the MSS images has the benefit of complete geological mapping at scales of 1:80,000, 1:320,000, and 1:1,000,000. Comparison of imagery and exisiting geological maps, particularly the 1:1,000,000 scale, produces important information: (1) Good correspondence is seen between large units distinguished on the images and the concentric strata of the Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Paleocene on the map. (2) Comparison of MSS images with the hydrogeological map of the Parisian basin at 1:500,000 removes all ambiguity with regard to lithological variations. Among the many faults revealed, only three were considered: (1) the Metz; (2)Juranze; and (3) the double fault of the Marne. Imagery shows a conspicuous alignment of the Metz fault unknown until now and ending near Montereau against the group of north-south faults between Montargis and Bourbon l'Archambault. MSS images show that the Juranze fault divides beyond Brienne into two branches of equal importance. The northern one represents the known fault, the southern one was not known until now, but the convergence of the faults constitutes a tectonic trap. The double fault of the Marne is known for a total length of 50 km. ERTS-1 imagery suggest a prolongation toward the southeast which could bring its length to 110 km.

Weecksteen, G.↗
NASA NTRS1972

Calcified proteins in the sedimentary environment.

Amino acid diagenesis is considered in relatively young fossil mollusk shells which are capable of preserving some of their original organic constituents. The rate of change of amino acid content in fossils is related to time and diagenetic temperature. Thus, the amino acid content provides information relating to the approximate ages of shells. Pleistocene temperatures and sea level changes in Florida are discussed, along with stratification correlation.

Mitterer, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The stratigraphic sequence of volcanic and sedimentary units in the north polar region of Mars

Based on photogeologic mapping of Viking orbiter images of Mars, four distinct informal stratigraphic units are defined for the region north of 70 degrees N latitude. They are: (a) bulbous plains, (b) mantled plains, (c) dune deposits, and (d) layered deposits/perennial ice. Background information on the Martian polar caps is provided from telescopic observation, Mariner mission results, and Viking mission results (August 1976-November 1978). A description, and an interpretation and distribution of the stratigraphic units are presented. Surface winds, which were determined from dune orientations, and discussed and implications for the source of circumpolar dune materials are delineated. A list of the Viking Orbiter imagery used in the research, the computer programs for crater size frequency distributions, and the crater size frequency data are presented.

Botts, M. E.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The origin and evolution of sulfur in an Archean volcano-sedimentary basin, Deer Lake area, Minnesota

Rocks of the Deer Lake area, northcentral Minnesota, consist of Archean (age greater than 2.6 billion years) metasediments and metavolcanics intruded by mafic layered sills. Geologic and sulfur isotopic data suggest that sulfides in the sediments are bacteriogenic, having formed in response to the activity of sulfate reducing bacteria during diagenesis. Deposition of the sediments appears to have occurred in a deep marine basin with restricted circulation of sea water. The bulk of the sulfur in the igneous rocks is of deep seated origin, but basal contacts of the sills show evidence of assimilation of biogenic sulfur from the intruded sediments. This assimilation of biogenic sulfur is the primary geochemical control of local Cu-Ni sulfide mineralization.

Nicol, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Analysis of SMIRR Data for Volcanic and Sedimentary Terrains of the Trans-pecos Region, Texas

The Shuttle Multispectral Infrared Radiometer (SMIRR) carried on the second mission of the Space Shuttle produced spectral data for portions of Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties, Texas during the eighteenth orbit of the spacecraft in November of 1981. The data covers an area approximately 100 m in width and 100 km in length extending from the Rio Grande just north of Candelaria in the southwest to Fort Stockton in the northeast. The area is part of the Chihuahua Desert ecosystem. The purpose of the project is to provide groundtruth for the spectral data produced by the SMIRR scanner. The ten filters on the SMIRR scanner extend from 0.50 to 2.35 microns. It has been found that the bands from 2.0 to 2.35 microns are particularly useful for discriminating carbonate and clay minerals.

Blount, H. G.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Position Paper: Workshop on Geologic Applications of Remote Sensing to the Study of Sedimentary Basins

The utility of LANDSAT Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM) data for providing regional coverage has been demonstrated. Information derived from LANDSAT spectral data is varied, but has primarily been used for distinguishing materials in a scene. Because of the limited number and width of the MSS and TM bands, LANDSAT data has only limited utility for actual identification of materials. The new advanced sensors (currently airborne, but eventually shuttle-based) have more limited areal extent than LANDSAT, but greater spatial and spectral resolution. The Airborne Imaging Spectrometer (AIS) has spectral resolution of about .01 microns and, typically, has 10m/pixel spatial resolution. This improved spectral resolution means that diagnostic spectral features may now be identified, which in turn means that actual identification of mineral phases present can be addressed (of either monominerallic or composite materials). Another new sensor, the Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanners (TMS), obtains data in the 8 to 12 micron range. The information from the various sensors (e.g., LANDSAT, AIS, and TIMS) is complementary, covering different wavelength regions and consequently sensitive to different materials or physical properties of materials. In addition, the new sensors also produce a higher volume of data, which must be cleverly and efficiently handled.

Blake, P. L.↗