Article
Geology
Benjamin T. Cardenas, John P. Grotzinger, Michael P. Lamb, Kevin W. Lewis, Christopher M. Fedo, Alexander B. Bryk, William E. Dietrich, N. A. T. H. A. N. Stein, M. A. D. I. S. O. N. Turner, G. W. E. N. A. E. L. Caravaca
Summary: The early environmental history of Mars is recorded in its sedimentary rocks. Analysis of Mount Sharp's sedimentary layers indicates a permanent lake environment followed by river bars in an ancient alluvial and shoreline setting. The transition from lake to river environment may be due to factors such as climate-driven changes or local shoreline evolution.
JOURNAL OF SEDIMENTARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Cao, Zhiyong Xiao, Fanglu Luo, Yizhen Ma, Rui Xu
Summary: Impact craters with layered ejecta deposits are common on Mars. The involvement of water and/or water ice is believed to be responsible for the formation of these ejecta. This study compares the roughness of these deposits with long-runout landslides and lobate debris aprons, in order to understand the emplacement mechanisms of layered ejecta deposits. The results suggest that the characteristics of the inner facies of the deposits and long-runout landslides are similar, while the outer facies are more similar to lobate debris aprons.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
A. S. Zaki, K. S. Edgett, M. Pajola, E. Kite, J. M. Davis, N. Mangold, A. S. Madof, A. Lucchetti, P. Grindrod, C. M. Hughes, K. Sangwan, N. Thomas, M. Schuster, S. Gupta, G. Cremonese, S. Castelltort
Summary: This study reconstructs the history of fluvial systems in the Antoniadi crater on Mars, revealing that there were four intermittent active periods during the Late Noachian to Early Amazonian, resulting in at least two major lakes. The morphologies of interconnected fluvial systems and lake variations suggest episodic precipitation-induced surface runoff, along with intermittent catastrophic floods that breached crater-lake rims. These findings provide important insights into the frequency, duration, and hydro-climatic context of early Mars.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy A. Goudge, Alexander M. Morgan, Gaia Stucky de Quay, Caleb Fassett
Summary: Lake breach flooding on early Mars significantly eroded a quarter of incised valleys, impacting the Martian landscape. The global importance of these floods in shaping valley systems highlights their role in the broader landscape evolution of Mars.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Peter E. Martin, Kenneth A. Farley, Charles A. Malespin, Paul R. Mahaffy, Kenneth S. Edgett, Sanjeev Gupta, William E. Dietrich, Michael C. Malin, Kathryn M. Stack, Paulo M. Vasconcelos
Summary: Experiments on Mount Sharp in Gale crater on Mars show that the rock layers have been removed over the past billion years, suggesting that Mount Sharp likely formed during the Hesperian period.
EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCE LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Ajay B. Limaye, Jacob B. Adler, Andrew J. Moodie, Kelin X. Whipple, Alan D. Howard
Summary: Fan-shaped sedimentary deposits on Mars can provide valuable information about the planet's paleoclimate. A study conducted on the Hypanis Valles region suggests that the large multi-lobed deposit found there could have been formed either on land or at the edge of a water body. Numerical modeling was used to test different scenarios, and the results showed that all depositional conditions were consistent with orbital observations, although it remains uncertain whether standing water was present during the formation of the Hypanis deposits.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Octavian Catuneanu, Rajat Mazumder, Sreejoni Mazumder, Patrick G. Eriksson
Summary: The high-resolution image analysis of the Perseverance rover reveals the presence of a Gilbert-type deltaic complex in the western part of the Jezero crater, consisting of fluvial topsets and subaqueous clinoforms. The topsets and foresets are separated by subaerial unconformities, indicating different sedimentation cycles and systems tracts. The clinoforms belong to falling-stage systems tracts, while the topsets are part of the lowstand systems tracts. The deposition of the clinoforms in the Jezero crater could have been influenced by tidal processes in a marine environment, suggesting a connection between the Jezero Basin and a northern ocean. The clarification of the paleogeography at the time of deltaic progradation has significant implications for the exploration strategy for early life forms on Mars.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geology
J. M. Davis, P. M. Grindrod, S. G. Banham, N. H. Warner, S. J. Conway, S. J. Boazman, S. Gupta
Summary: This study characterizes sediment fan deposits associated with syn-tectonic sedimentation on Mars using high-resolution orbital data sets. The results demonstrate a link between depositional cyclicity and tectonic deformation, possibly representing regional processes within Valles Marineris.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Leah E. Sacks, Livio L. Tornabene, Gordon R. Osinski, Racel Sopoco
Summary: Impact craters and their ejecta deposits provide insights into the structure and composition of planetary crusts. The Hargraves Crater on Mars exhibits a unique balance of exposure and preservation in its ejecta deposits. The crater has two distinct ejecta units, with the lower unit interpreted as lithic impact breccia and the overlying unit as impact melt-bearing breccia or impact melt rock unit. The sharp contact between these two units is similar to observations of ejecta deposits on Earth. Study of Hargraves-type ejecta will improve our understanding of ejecta and ejecta emplacement processes.
Article
Geography, Physical
Madhavi Dabhi, Anil Chavan, Adarsh Thakkar, Gaurav Chauhan, Rakesh Bhagora, Naveen Chauhan, Anil D. Shukla, Subhash Bhandari
Summary: This study analyzes the sedimentologic, chronometric, and geochemical data of fluvial terrace sequences in the dryland region of Kachchh to understand the impact of Indian Summer Monsoon and local tectonics on the evolution of fluvial systems.
QUATERNARY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yan Chen, Jianxun Shen, Li Liu, Yu Sun, Yongxin Pan, Wei Lin
Summary: The distribution of organic carbon in the Qaidam Basin is influenced by landform, moisture, and sedimentary origin. The extremely dry northwestern Qaidam has low organic carbon contents, suggesting low rates of microbial carbon input and organic carbon degradation in Mars-like environments. Aqueous deposits show high organic carbon contents and rivers indicate the preservation of relic organic matter. Soils from the distal alluvial fan are promising candidate targets for biosignature detection on Mars.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Nicholas L. G. Schiff, Tracy K. P. Gregg
Summary: Unconformable lobate deposits along the north-facing slopes of Alba Patera on Mars were examined, revealing the highest-elevation lobate debris aprons yet discovered on the planet. These deposits show two distinct surface textures, indicating different rates of ice removal and accumulation influenced by reduced insolation on the north-facing slopes. The presence of eroded ice-cemented dust remnants suggests a marginal glaciation environment on Alba Patera.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yizhen Ma, Zhiyong Xiao, Fanglu Luo, Wei Cao, Rui Xu
Summary: Based on sounding radar observations, there are no clear reflections in the layered ejecta deposits at low latitudes on Mars, indicating similar dielectric properties across their interfaces. The relative permittivity of materials in the layered ejecta deposits is estimated to be within a broad range of -2 to 10, based on the surface permittivity of background terrains. These findings have significant implications for the presence of past and present water ice at low latitudes on Mars.
Article
Geology
Joao Paulo Fernandes, Concha Arenas, Jose Eugenio Ortiz
Summary: This paper discusses the formation and preservation of a fluvial tufa system influenced by Atlantic climate based on various analyses. The tufas and associated deposits in the Almonda River valley on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula date back to the warm Marine Isotope Stage 5 (MIS-5). The depositional architecture is influenced by the lithology and structural deformation of the bedrock, and the aquifer water provides the outflowing Almonda water with enriched oxygen-18 and depleted carbon-13, ensuring the availability of water during tufa formation. The stable precipitation regimes and absence of intense erosion phases contribute to the preservation of fine-grained and palustrine deposits.
JOURNAL OF IBERIAN GEOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geology
Grzegorz Bania, Tomasz Wozniak
Summary: This study applies 2D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) surveys to investigate the spatial complexity of fluvial deposits in the Vistula River valley in Krakow. Due to industrial activities, many geomorphological elements have been transformed and hidden. The methods used in this study provide new information on the industrial influence in the study area, allowing accurate lithological interpretation.
GEOLOGICAL QUARTERLY
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Stephanie Shahrzad, Kjartan M. Kinch, Timothy A. Goudge, Caleb I. Fassett, Debra H. Needham, Cathy Quantin-Nataf, Cecillie P. Knudsen
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Bradley J. Thomson, Debra L. Buczkowski, Larry S. Crumpler, Kimberly D. Seelos, Caleb Fassett
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2019)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Csilla Orgel, Caleb Fassett, Gregory Michael, Christian Riedel, Carolyn H. van der Bogert, Harald Hiesinger
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2020)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Gaia Stucky de Quay, Timothy A. Goudge, Edwin S. Kite, Caleb Fassett, Scott D. Guzewich
Summary: Research suggests that multiple runoff episodes likely occurred on ancient Mars, lasting between 102-105 years, with model-dependent and spatially variable durations that cannot satisfy all lake systems uniformly. These quantitative constraints on early Mars lake persistence may soon be tested through in situ observations from the Perseverance rover.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Cole A. Nypaver, Bradley J. Thomson, Caleb Fassett, Edgard G. Rivera-Valentin, Gerald W. Patterson
Summary: Fresh impact ejecta deposits on the lunar surface consist of a heterogeneous mix of boulders, cobbles, and fine-grained regolith. Observations of old lunar impact craters reveal the presence of large boulders along their rims, indicating continuous rock exposure due to downslope movement of regolith. Collecting lunar samples at crater rims can help mitigate sample contamination from distant sources and ensure accurate geologic interpretations.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Sashank Vanga, Caleb Fassett, Michael Zanetti, Cole Nypaver, Bradley J. Thomson, Masatoshi Hirabayashi
Summary: This study analyzed rock abundance data on the lunar surface and found that the growth of lunar regolith affects the abundance of surface rocks, indicating that older surfaces have lower rock abundance, and younger surfaces have higher rock abundance. In addition, rocks reexcavated from within the regolith contribute significantly to the observed rock population on the lunar surface.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Timothy A. Goudge, Alexander M. Morgan, Gaia Stucky de Quay, Caleb Fassett
Summary: Lake breach flooding on early Mars significantly eroded a quarter of incised valleys, impacting the Martian landscape. The global importance of these floods in shaping valley systems highlights their role in the broader landscape evolution of Mars.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Caleb I. Fassett, Timothy A. Goudge
Summary: Open-basin lakes with outlets on Mars are likely formed by single flood events that involve suspension sediment transport. The peak discharges from these lakes are significant, ranging from 10(4) to 10(6) m(3)/s, and the outlet-forming floods can last for days to weeks. The size of the lakes, topographic setting, and sediment transport by suspension play crucial roles in controlling the erosion of outlets on the Martian landscape.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
C. L. Talkington, M. Hirabayashi, P. E. Montalvo, A. N. Deutsch, C. Fassett, M. A. Siegler, S. L. Shepherd, D. T. King
Summary: By analyzing the complex craters on the Moon, it is found that topographic diffusion and ejecta blankets can preserve up to 1wt% of water. However, impact mixing and internal heat limit the stability of ancient water to subsurface regions younger than 3.9 billion years and at depths ranging from a few meters to tens of meters.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Don R. Hood, S. F. Sholes, S. Karunatillake, C. Fassett, R. C. Ewing, J. Levy
Summary: In this study, a tool called Martian Boulder Automatic Recognition System (MBARS) is developed to automatically locate and measure boulders on the surface of Mars. This tool enables rapid and accurate assessments of boulder populations, providing insights into the processes that have operated on the Martian surface.
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Emily R. Bamber, T. A. Goudge, C. Fassett, G. R. Osinski, G. Stucky de Quay
Summary: This study examines the factors that influence the formation of inlet valleys in degraded Martian craters. The researchers found that hydrologic factors related to basin hydrology play a more significant role than topographic factors in determining whether a crater possesses an inlet or not.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Caleb Fassett, Ross A. Beyer, Ariel N. Deutsch, Masatoshi Hirabayashi, C. J. Leight, Prasun Mahanti, Cole A. Nypaver, Bradley J. Thomson, David A. Minton
Summary: Crater degradation and erosion control the lifespan of craters on the lunar surface, resulting in relatively short survival time for meter-scale craters.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Timothy A. Goudge, Caleb I. Fassett, Marianne Coholich, Emily R. Bamber
Summary: More than 250 hydrologically open paleolakes on Mars have been discovered, which were filled with water before catastrophic breaching occurred. Observational results and numerical modeling experiments indicate that steeper slopes and taller crater rims are key factors in promoting more complete draining of these open-basin lakes on Mars.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
P. E. Montalvo, H. Christopher, M. Hirabayashi, C. Fassett, D. T. King Jr
Summary: We estimated the ejecta thickness of five complex craters on Ceres' equatorial region by analyzing smaller, simple craters in their ejecta deposits. The ejecta thickness ranges from 3 to 73 m around complex craters and 96-223 m at their rim crest localities. The thinner ejecta thicknesses on Ceres compared to the Moon are likely due to the presence of meltwater, which is supported by previous studies on subsurface water ice melting.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. L. Dickson, A. M. Palumbo, J. W. Head, L. Kerber, C. I. Fassett, M. A. Kreslavsky
Summary: Gullies on Mars are similar to water-carved channels on Earth, but they are mostly found at elevations where liquid water is not expected under the current climate conditions. Previous studies have suggested that the sublimation of carbon dioxide ice alone could form Martian gullies. However, using a general circulation model, this study suggests that the highest-elevation Martian gullies coincide with a boundary where pressures above the triple point of water have occurred when Mars' rotational axis tilt reached 35 degrees. These conditions have happened repeatedly over the past several million years, with the most recent occurrence being about 630,000 years ago. Therefore, the researchers propose a dual gully formation scenario that involves the melting of water ice followed by the sublimation of carbon dioxide ice.