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Characterization of Impactite Clay Minerals with Implications for Mars Geologic Context and Mars Sample Return

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Characterization of Impactite Clay Minerals with Implications for Mars Geologic Context and Mars Sample Return Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 4-9-2020 10:00 AM Characterization of Impactite Clay Minerals with Implications for Mars Geologic Context and Mars Sample Return Christy M. Caudill The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Gordon Osinski The University of Western Ontario Co-Supervisor Dr. Livio Tornabene The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Geology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Christy M. Caudill 2020 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Geology Commons, and the Other Earth Sciences Commons Recommended Citation Caudill, Christy M., "Characterization of Impactite Clay Minerals with Implications for Mars Geologic Context and Mars Sample Return" (2020). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 6935. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/6935 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract Geological processes, including impact cratering, are fundamental throughout rocky bodies in the solar system. Studies of terrestrial impact structures, like the Ries impact structure, Germany, have informed on impact cratering processes – e.g., early hot, hydrous degassing, autometamorphism, and recrystallization/devitrification of impact glass – and products – e.g., impact melt rocks and breccias comprised of clay minerals. Yet, clay minerals of authigenic impact origin remain understudied and their formation processes poorly-understood. This thesis details the characterization of impact-generated clay minerals at Ries, showing that compositionally diverse, abundant Al/Fe/Mg smectite clays formed through these processes in thin melt-bearing breccia deposits of the ejecta, as well as at depth. The inherent complexity of smectites – their formation, type, structure, and composition – makes their provenance difficult to discern; these factors may explain why impact-generated and altered materials, which comprise an appreciable volume and extent of Mars’ ancient Noachian crust, are not generally recognized as a source of the enigmatic clays that are ubiquitous in those regions. Clay minerals can provide a defining window into a planet’s geologic and climatic past as an indicator of water availability and geochemistry; the presence of clay minerals on Mars has been used to support the hypothesis of climatically “warm, wet” ancient conditions. Yet, climate modeling of Early Mars suggests that the likely nature of the climate was not conducive to long-term aqueous activity. We suggest that the omission of impact-generated materials in current models of Mars clay mineral formation leaves a fundamental gap in our understanding of Noachian crustal materials – materials that were continually recycled and completely transformed on a global scale over millennia on Mars. The opportunity to investigate clay-bearing impactites and strata- bound clay minerals will be presented to the upcoming NASA Mars 2020 and ESA ExoMars i rovers; this thesis offers caution in assigning clay mineral provenance until samples are returned to Earth from these missions. We furthermore suggest a methodological approach to augment current rover-based exploration frameworks to characterize potential impact-origin. Discerning clay species and provenance – and acknowledging the implications of that provenance – is central to understanding the geologic context of Mars, and thus its past climatic conditions and habitability potential. Keywords Mars, Earth analogues, impact cratering products, clay minerals, clay-bearing impactites ii Lay Summary Impact cratering is a fundamental geologic process throughout the solar system, one that serves as an external force to cycle and recycle crustal materials and produce new materials known as impactites. Impactites from terrestrial impact structures are known to comprise smectites (swelling, hydrated clay minerals). The heavily cratered, ancient Noachian region of Mars holds a diversity of alteration minerals, including widespread smectites. The presence of smectites on Mars is generally considered to indicate Earth-like paleoclimate conditions that supported long-term atmospheric stability and surface-stable liquid water. However, climate modeling of Early Mars suggests that the likely nature of the climate was not conducive to long- term aqueous activity. The work of this thesis may address the disconnect between the widespread clay minerals observed on Mars and the predictions of a “cold, dry” climate through the study of clay-bearing impactites. Impact processes can produce clay minerals even in the absence of an active hydrosphere and under very cold conditions; however, the production of clay minerals in impact craters is poorly-understood. Impact-generated clay minerals are not typically represented in current models of Mars clay mineral formation, and we suggest that this leaves a fundamental gap in our understanding of Noachian crustal materials that were continually recycled and completely transformed on a global scale over millennia. This thesis begins with extensive mapping of impactite deposits of Bakhuysen Crater, Mars. Next, two in- depth laboratory studies of clay-bearing impactites at the Ries impact structure provide a reference for impact-related clay minerals when investigating the provenance of materials on Mars. A main goal of this thesis is to incite new ways of thinking about the variety of complex processes – including impact cratering – that produced materials observed on the surface of Mars. Intellectual and exploration frameworks – i.e., science questions and resultant Mars iii exploration strategies – were investigated through a simulated Mars rover mission: CanMars. The difficulties in properly characterizing geologic context and the inherent difficulty in identifying and adequately characterizing smectite clay minerals (relevant for upcoming Mars rover missions) calls for a methodological approach. This thesis augments current exploration frameworks with the broader goal of expanding current knowledge on the larger geologic context of Mars. iv Land Acknowledgement I acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak, and Attawandaron peoples, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. With this, I respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. This land connected me to a fundamental truth, which is why this land acknowledgement is so important to me. It is about acknowledging the caretakers of this land – the life and spirit of this land, not simply its resources – and the historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (e.g. First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada. But this land acknowledgement is also about the other – the non-humans, who are disadvantaged by the distinct dearth of a grammar of animacy in western culture that unwittingly conveys on us that only “humans” count as “persons”, as described by Robin Kimmerer in Braiding Sweetgrass. We have inherited the most unfortunate of worldviews: that our perspective is the only perspective, that there are no other intelligences beside our own, other ways of being and knowing. We are blind to the wisdom around us. It is this truth – the truth that modern science works in a deeply-rooted reductionist framework, largely and disconcertingly invalidating other knowledge systems – that the land has awakened me to. Particularly, the tree people of the Anishinaabek land. This journey comes come full circle for the little girl who connected so deeply with nature, with animals and every creature – though this truth of being was actively suppressed as a result of v cultural misinformation. Hurt people hurt people; deeply wounded societies do the same to their people. Yet, my experiences on this land healed me. This land connected me back to my truth. For that, I will be forever grateful for the people and the other beings here. Thank you, Canadians, for living up to your reputation of warmth, inclusivity, openness, and kindness. Living here has shown me the great Canadian heart. vi Co-Authorship Statement Chapter 2: Data was collected and processed by Christy Caudill. Manuscript was written by Christy Caudill. Comments and editing were provided by Gordon Osinski and Livio Tornabene. The concept for this study came from observations and conversations with Livio Tornabene regarding Bakhuysen Crater deposits and impact melt-bearing deposits on Mars. A version of the work in this chapter is published in Icarus. Caudill, C.M., G.R. Osinski, L.L. Tornabene (2018) Geological Mapping and Interpretation of Bakhuysen Crater, Mars, Icarus 314, 175-194. Chapter 3: Data was collected and processed by Christy Caudill; spectral data was collected and processed with assistance from Rebecca Greenberger, and field assistance was provided by Haley Sapers, Lu Pan, Matthew Svennson, and Jen Ronholm. Rebecca Greenberger provided the spectral image for Figure 3.5. Bethany Ehlmann and Rebecca Greenberger graciously allowed use of their spectral processing lab and offered many valuable conversations regarding the spectral data, interpretations,
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