The Evolution of East Candor Chasma, Valles Marineris, Mars: Proposed Structural Collapse and Sedimentation
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THE EVOLUTION OF EAST CANDOR CHASMA, VALLES MARINERIS, MARS: PROPOSED STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE AND SEDIMENTATION Amanda Burden, BSc. (Hons.) MSc, Earth Science Submitted in partial fulfillment Of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Faculty of Math and Science, Brock University St. Catharines, Ontario Amanda Burden © November 2018 Amanda Burden Abstract Valles Marineris (VM), Mars has a long history of sedimentary deposition. East Candor Chasma is located on the eastern flank of Valles Marineris. Previous studies of the chasma suggests a complex geological history of collapse and basin infill. Interior Layer Deposits (ILDs) in East Candor Chasma span over 475 km long, 145 km wide and range in elevation from -5.5 km to 3.5 km at datum. The ILDs can be separated into six different unit varieties-massive, thick layer unit, thin layer unit, steeply inclined unit, deformed layer unit, and thin mesa unit. The massive unit contains no visible layering and a distinct erosional style. Thick layer units are found overlying the massive unit and tend to thin upwards within the mound. The thin layer unit overlies the thick layer unit and can be observed truncating thick layering. A steeply dipping unit is anomalous and found only in one mound within the chasma. A Deformed layer unit is commonly observed along the walls of the chasma indicating post erosional slumping. A thin mesa unit is thought to be a late ash cover which conformably drapes all pre-existing geology. Unconformities are observed throughout the chasma, three occur at an elevation of ~1000 m within the thick layer unit. This indicates the chasma likely underwent multiple periods of erosion and deposition. Attitude measurements taken within the layered units of the central mounds reveal a possible secondary collapse along the north wall of the chasma. The lower stratigraphic section along the north face of the central mounds reveals dips of ~20˚, indicating that the massive unit was likely eroded prior to thick layer unit deposition. These observations can be used to interpret the geological history of East Candor Chasma. We suggest that a secondary collapse occurred along the north wall of the chasma after the massive unit was emplaced. Sedimentation and erosion continued after chasma collapse allowing for the emplacement of layer and thin mesa units. Two models for the history of East Candor Chasma are presented. ii | P a g e Amanda Burden Acknowledgements I would like to thank Frank Fueten for the opportunity to complete a thesis. Thank you for steering me in the right direction whenever I had a question about my research. Thank you to Bob Stesky and Rick Cheel, for their participation in reviewing my work. Their input during the writing process proved to be invaluable. Thank you to my other committee member, Mariek Schmidt, and Jessica Flahaut for reviewing my work. I would also like to acknowledge Jon Walmsley for his participation making digital elevation models available for me and assisting me with troubleshooting computer problems throughout this process. Thank you. iii | P a g e Amanda Burden Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iii List of Figures .............................................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 1 ................................................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 2 ................................................................................................................................................. vii Chapter 3 ................................................................................................................................................... x Chapter 4 .................................................................................................................................................xiii 1.0 Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 A brief Overview of the History of Mars ................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Obliquity and Climate Change ............................................................................................................ 2 1.3 Valles Marineris .................................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 Valles Marineris Geologic History ....................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Composition of Martian Crust Near Valles Marineris ......................................................................... 6 1.6 Interior Layered Deposits .................................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Evidence of Glaciation in Valles Marineris .......................................................................................... 8 1.8 Sulfates .............................................................................................................................................. 10 1.9 Interior Layered Deposit Formation Mechanisms ............................................................................ 11 1.10 Subaerial Formation Mechanisms .................................................................................................. 12 1.10.1 Subaqueous Formation Mechanisms ....................................................................................... 13 1.10.2 Volcanic Ash Formation Mechanisms ...................................................................................... 14 1.11 Erosional Features of ILDs ............................................................................................................... 15 1.12 Purpose of study ............................................................................................................................. 15 References .................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.0 Chapter 2: ILDs in East Candor Chasma ................................................................................................ 22 iv | P a g e Amanda Burden 2.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 22 2.2 ILDs in East Candor Chasma .................................................................................................................. 23 2.3 Current Interpretation of East Candor Chasma’s Geological History ............................................... 26 2.4 Sulfates in East Candor Chasma ........................................................................................................ 28 2.5 Methodology for Layer classification .................................................................................................... 30 2.6 Layer Unit Classification ........................................................................................................................ 30 2.6.1 Layer Unit Varieties of East Candor Chasma .................................................................................. 30 2.6.2 Massive unit ................................................................................................................................... 31 2.6.3 Thick layered Unit .......................................................................................................................... 34 2.6.4 Thin layered unit ............................................................................................................................ 35 2.6.5 Steeply dipping thick unit .............................................................................................................. 37 2.6.6 Deformed layered unit ................................................................................................................... 38 2.6.7 Thin mesa unit................................................................................................................................ 39 2.7.1 Distribution of ILD Units throughout East Candor Chasma ............................................................... 40 2.8 Discussion .............................................................................................................................................. 52 References .................................................................................................................................................. 59 3.0 Chapter 3: Layer Attitude Measurements of East Candor Chasma ...................................................... 62 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 62 3.2.1 Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 64 3.2.2 Data Source ...................................................................................................................................