Volcanically Driven Hydrothermal Systems in Post-Noachian Mars

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Volcanically Driven Hydrothermal Systems in Post-Noachian Mars Volcanically Driven Hydrothermal Systems on Post‐Noachian Mars: Hotspots of Habitability on a Changing Planet J.R. Skok and J.F. Mustard Brown University with B. Ehlmann, R. Milliken, S. Murchie Exploring Mars Habitability Lisbon, Portugal June 13, 2011 Detailed View of Terrestrial Volcanic Hydrothermal System • System driven by heat from magmatic chamber. • Increased thermal gradient heats ground water and may contain magmatic sourced waters. • Dissolution of mafic minerals would create silica saturated fluids. • Deposition of silica, sulfates, travertines and oxides occur Pirajno and Kranendonk 2005 nears vents and hot springs. Proposed Sites of Hydrothermal Systems on Mars Apollinaris Mons Lava‐Rock Home Plate, Gusev interaction to create rootless Crater. Squyres et al 2007 cones. South of Elysium HiRISE PSP_002622_1820 Syrtis Major Volcanic Complex Nili Fossae Isidis Basin Syrtis Major Nili Patera Nili Patera Caldera Nili 400 m elevation Fossae Isidis Basin Syrtis Major Nili Patera 30km CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W High Silica THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS Detection Nili Fossae Isidis Basin Syrtis Major Nili Patera 30km 10 km CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS Nili Patera Cone Nili Fossae Isidis Basin Syrtis Major Nili Patera 10 km CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS Light‐toned Deposits 10 km Calibrated CRISM Spectra 10 km FRT000010628 Ratioed Spectra 2.212.21 µm µm Hawaiian Volcanic Silica 2.21µm Position and shape of 2.21 µm FRT000010628 are consistent with Si‐OH. Spectral Reproduction with Super resolution CRISM Super resolution ~10m/pixel 150m CRISM 18m/pixel Super Resolution 80 pixels FRT000010628 160 pixels FRT0001DE11 Nili Patera Volcanic Cone CTX‐CRISM Composite on CTX Stereo DEM 5x Nili Patera Volcanic Cone CTX‐CRISM Composite on CTX Stereo DEM 5x HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895 Fan Deposit 400m HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895 South Deposit HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895 200m Review of Nili Patera Hydrothermal System Model • Complex Syrtis Major caldera Nili Patera Cone indicated several eruptive episodes. Hiesinger and Head 2004 • Dacite bearing flow in Nili Patera would require magmatic differentiation and a long lived system. Christensen et al. 2005 • Silica is deposited on the flank of the cone, in nearby mounds and in a field of deposits on the dacitic flows. Pirajno and Kranendonk 2005 Habitability of Volcanic Hydrothermal Systems on Mars • Hydrothermal Systems would Yellowstone provide high water, energy and habitability for duration of magmatic body. • Volcanic hot spring environments may provide habitable pathway between deep hydrosphere / possible deep biosphere and the surface. • Systems would deposit silica sinter, an ideal substance for preserving biosignatures. Farmer and Des Marais 1999 Nili Patera .
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