Hirise Observations of Valles Marineris Layering Ross A

Seventh International Conference on Mars 3310.pdf

HiRISE Observations of Valles Marineris layering Ross A. Beyer1,2, Catherine M. Weitz3, Bradley J. Thompson4, Jeffrey M. Moore2, Alfred S. McEwen5, and the HiRISE Team; 1Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute ([email protected]), 2NASA Ames Research Center, 3Planetary Science Institute, 4NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and 5The University of Arizona.

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is providing spectacular images of Mars resolv- ing features at the sub-meter scale [1]. Color imaging and overlapping stereo images are also valuable for viewing topography and stratigraphy. We have used the HiRISE data to examine the layering observed in the chasma slopes, the interior mesas, the chasma ﬂoors, and layers observed on the surrounding plains. The high- resolution images show extensive layering with variable lithologies, and stunning new views of familiar land- scapes.

Chasma Wall Layers

HiRISE resolution of layers in the chasmata walls provide better detail on the sub-meter texture of their outcrops. A talus cover dominates the low angle slopes and so layering is best observed on the spurs of the spur-and- gully morphology of the slopes and near the chasmata rims. The layers identifiable in lower-resolution data as dark-toned units resolve into rubbly outcrops of meter- scale boulders (Figure 1). A previous study [2] reasoned that since these layers were dark-toned even on sunlit- Figure 1: The north rim of Coprates Chasma showing facing slopes, that they must be inherently dark-toned more resistant layers cropping out and displaying a rub- material. HiRISE images show that while these layers bly texture (middle of frame and below). Portion of the may be slightly darker-toned than the talus, the major red channel mosaic from PSP 002814 1665. cause of the darker tones observed in the Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) images are in fact due to sub-MOC- pixel length shadows cast by the meter-scale boulders that have eroded out of the layer. So the dark tone of Light-Toned units within Chasma Interiors this layer in MOC images is a result of roughness on a Inside of Valles Marineris, massive blocky lithologies scale smaller than the image resolution [3]. are frequently observed to be interbedded with meter- However, the observation of these outcrops is still scale layered units (Figure 2), suggesting either different consistent with an interpretation of dense basalt flows depositional environments or post-deposition modifica- which erode into boulders whose size is controlled by tion of local areas. Folding is evident in West Candor cooling joints in the flow. Although it is difficult to Chasma near the contact with the chasma wall, indicat- evaluate the character of the interstitial layers which do ing post-deposition disruption, perhaps associated with not crop out through the talus, the morphology and sur- further extension in Valles Marineris. face expression as observed in HiRISE images remains Stereo images reveal tilting of layered beds in several consistent with mechanically weaker layers composed of locations. Fractures, joints, and faults are also commonly more friable material [2]. seen. Seventh International Conference on Mars 3310.pdf

2 HiRISE Observations of Valles Marineris layering, R. A. Beyer et al.

At the western end of Valles Marineris where Ius and Tithonium Chasmata transition into Noctis Labyrinthus, fractured layered units are observed in the central peak of Oudemans Crater (Figure 3). These dark and light-toned layers provide evidence of older deposits buried beneath the lava ﬂows of the Hesperian plains, at least in western Valles Marineris.

Layering on Interior Mesas Some of the interpretations of dark-toned units on vari- ous interior layered deposits have favored a volcanic ori- gin [e.g. 4, 5]. HiRISE and MOC images indicate that some of the features previously interpreted as maﬁc dikes

Figure 2: West Candor shows massive resistant lithologies producing debris aprons that are mixed with more friable ﬁnely layered beds. Portion of a false-color mosaic from PSP 001984 1735.

Figure 3: The central peak of Oudemans Crater situated just south of the juncture between Noctis Labyrinthus Figure 4: On top of Ganges Mensa. It shows the south- and Ius Chasma. Portion of a false-color mosaic from ernmost tip of a dark-toned ridge and the light-toned PSP 002446 1700. strata below it. Portion of the red channel mosaic from PSP 002550 1725. Seventh International Conference on Mars 3310.pdf

HiRISE Observations of Valles Marineris layering, R. A. Beyer et al. 3

Figure 6: South flank of a mound west of Baetis Mensa in Ophir Chasma. Portion of the red channel mosaic from Figure 5: This covers a flank of the largest light-toned PSP 002208 1755. mound in Juventae Chasma. It is highest in the southeast (bottom right) corner of the image and slopes down to the northwest. Portion of the red channel mosaic from PSP 002590 1765. scales, these units show evidence for intense aeolian modification, and these small scallops or facets may be sub-meter ventifacts. However, it is also possible that the rims of these scallops may be more resistant material that and volcanic ridges [6, 7] are simply linear remnants of has undergone diagenesis along joints in the rock mass an indurated dark-toned mantle that has acted as a tem- [e.g. 10] prior to the aeolian erosion. porary caprock on top of light-toned materials. An ex- ample on Ganges Mensa (Figure 4) shows the southern Plateau Layering tip of a ∼9 km long dark ridge on the top of Ganges Mensa previously interpreted as a dark lava flow or a dike The layers observed outside of Valles Marineris are con- [6]. The dark-toned material of the ridge does not display centrated near Ius, Melas, and Juventae Chasmata. These any obvious lava flow textures, and is eroding into fine- layered deposits have darker units interbedded with light- grained talus, not meter-sized boulders. Similarly, this toned deposits, and other color variations are also visi- image gives a view of the underlying light-toned strata ble. While the ages of the light-toned layered units inside which do not appear to be faulted or disrupted, as the Valles Marineris relative to the formation of the canyons case would be if this were an intrusive dike. are still under debate, those on the plains are stratigraph- Meter-scale layering is visible in many of the in- ically above the Hesperian lavas and consequently repre- terior light-toned units at HiRISE resolutions. How- sent a relatively younger period of emplacement. ever, for some units on interior mesas where layering was expected, there is no coherent meter-scale layering Summary visible. Similar to the way that MOC images showed that some previously-identified layers were simply topo- Even at the highest resolution, there is a paucity of im- graphic benches [8], figure 5 shows that the fine layer- pact craters on the well-exposed light-toned layered and ing texture that was seen in some MOC images is a re- massive units, suggesting the units are friable in nature sult of dark-toned granular material accumulating in the with a low crater retention age. This is consistent with topographic grooves of this unit. The morphology and HiRISE observations of other light-toned units on Mars erosion along joints into semi-rounded boulders is con- which indicate that small craters may be a primary agent sistent with a sedimentary interpretation [9]. for beginning the disruption of light-toned units. These Mesas in the central chasmata, which have been de- craters are preferentially eroded away, leaving the inter- scribed to have massive lithologies display a scalloped crater areas as mesas or hills, but otherwise leaving little texture in HiRISE images (Figure 6). At slightly larger trace of the craters themselves. Although rapid burial be- Seventh International Conference on Mars 3310.pdf

4 HiRISE Observations of Valles Marineris layering, R. A. Beyer et al.

neath dark mantle deposits and formerly overlying units mary mission. Journal of Geophysical Research, 106 may also explain why there are so few craters. (E10):23429–23570, October 2001. Observations of layered units along the chasma walls [9] D. C. Catling, S. E. Wood, C. Leovy, D. R. Mont- which erode into a rubbly mass of meter-scale boulders gomery, H. M. Greenberg, C. R. Glein, and J. M. support their interpretation as volcanic flows. These units Moore. Light-toned layered deposits in Juventae Icarus are a sharp contrast to the light-toned units which erode Chasma, Mars. , 181:26–51, March 2006. doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2005.10.020. into sparse rounded boulders, but more frequently into [10] C. H. Okubo and A. S. McEwen. Fracture-Controlled finer particles. Paleo-Fluid Flow in Candor Chasma, Mars. Science, 315: Preliminary HiRISE observations of light-toned units 983–, February 2007. doi: 10.1126/science.1136855. do not support mafic volcanic origins, but sedimentary or other origins are not ruled out. The variety of light-toned lithologies observed within Valles Marineris show some geographic clustering. However, why some light-toned units are present in some locations, but not others is a subject of ongoing investi- gation. HiRISE images continue to display evidence for massive amounts of erosion on these layered units in and around Valles Marineris.

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