Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 12-11-2015 12:00 AM The Mistastin Lake Impact Structure As A Terrestrial Analogue Site For Lunar Science And Exploration Marianne M. Mader The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. Gordon Osinski The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Planetary Science A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Marianne M. Mader 2015 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Geology Commons Recommended Citation Mader, Marianne M., "The Mistastin Lake Impact Structure As A Terrestrial Analogue Site For Lunar Science And Exploration" (2015). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 3485. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/3485 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 The impact cratering record on the Moon is important for many reasons, from understanding early solar system chronology to probing the lunar interior. In order to maximize scientific return from future lunar missions, it is useful to: 1) study terrestrial impact craters to better understand impact processes and products, and 2) develop appropriate human and robotic exploration strategies aligned with geological goals. This research shows that the intermediate-size Mistastin Lake impact structure, in northern Labrador, Canada, is an unparalleled lunar analogue site, which includes both an anorthositic target and an almost complete suite of impact lithologies, including proximal ejecta deposits. New remote sensing, field mapping, and microscopy data are used to develop new structural and geological models of the Mistastin Lake impact structure. The results of this study show that a multi-stage ejecta emplacement model is required to explain the observations. It is also shown that impact melt-bearing breccias or “suevites” at Mistastin were emplaced as flows, were never airborne, and were formed from the mixing of impact melt flows with underlying lithic materials. In order to maximize scientific return from future lunar missions, this work also focused on developing appropriate human and robotic exploration strategies aligned with geological goals. We show that precursor reconnaissance missions provide surface geology visualization at resolutions and from viewpoints not achievable from orbit. Within such a mission concept, geological tasks are best divided between fixed- executional approaches, in which tasks are fairly repetitive and are carried out by an unskilled surface agent, and an adaptive-exploratory approach, where a skilled agent makes observations and interpretations and the field plan can adapt to these findings as the agent progresses. Operational considerations that help increase scientific return include: extensive pre-mission planning using remote sensing data; defining flexible plans and science priorities to respond to changing conditions; including mutually cross- trained scientists and engineers on the field team; and adapting traverses to accommodate field crew input and autonomy. A phased approach for human exploration proved ii successful in incorporating astronaut feedback and allowed more autonomy for astronauts to determine optimal sampling localities and sites for detailed observations. Keywords Impact cratering, impact structure, impactite, impact ejecta, lunar exploration, analogue mission, comparative planetology, Moon, planetary science, Mistastin Lake impact structure. Co-Authorship Statement Chapter 1 was a compilation of the existing literature relevant to the topic of this study. Dr. G. R. Osinski contributed to the editing of the chapter. Chapter 2 was published as a conference paper for the 63rd of the International Astronautical Congress conference in 2012. Co-authors include Dr. D. Eppler, Dr. G. R. Osinski, Dr. J. Brown, and Dr. N. Ghafoor. Dr. D. Eppler contributed to the writing and review of background material for the review of terrestrial field geology techniques. All co-authors contributed to the editing of the manuscript. Chapter 3 was published as a conference paper for the 65th International Astronautical Congress conference in 2014. Co-authors include Dr. S. Love and Dr. G.R. Osinski. Dr. S. Love contributed to the writing of sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.5 and the editing of the entire document. Dr. G.R. Osinski contributed to the editing of the manuscript. Chapter 4 was published as a conference paper for the 65th International Astronautical Congress conference in 2014. Co-authors include G.R. Osinski. Data used for analysis was generated as part of the Western University-led analogue mission campaign entitled Impacts: Lunar Sample Return (ILSR) funded by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Analogue missions are team endeavours, the entire team is listed in (Marion et al., 2012). iii Data products generated by the team included traverse plans, transcribed notes from the Field and Mission control teams, geological data products as well as analogue mission reports to the CSA. The author was responsible for compiling all of the data products, analysing, and summarizing the results for this paper. G.R. Osinski contributed to writing and editing of this manuscript. Chapter 5 was completed by M. Mader. Dr. L.L. Tornabene assisted with processing of data products using ENVI software program and provided training in how to use the program. Dr. G. R. Osinski was invaluable in helping to shape the outline of this paper, providing critical review of the discussion section, and editing of the entire chapter. Chapter 6 was completed by M. Mader. C. Marion and A. Pickersgill assisted with sample collection and the author benefited from numerous discussions regarding the geology of the Mistastin Lake impact structure. M. Beauchamp assisted with collection of data using a JEOL JXA-8530F Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer (FE- EPMA). Chapter 7 provides a summary of the suitability of the Mistastin Lake impact structure as a lunar analogue site. Dr. G. Osinski contributed to writing and editing of this chapter. iv Acknowledgments It takes a village to create a thesis: by no means is the undertaking of a PhD dissertation a solitary experience. I have many people to thank for their contributions, support, and fellowship. A key person integral to the success of my research has been my supervisor, Dr. Gordon Osinski. He encouraged my interest in exploring a topic “outside of the box” of traditional field geology research projects, and has been a constant resource both academically and professionally. An environment of respect, academic integrity, and camaraderie is the backbone of our CPSX research group, which I attribute Dr. Osinski’s leadership. He believes in his students, and this has a lasting effect. My research benefited from support of the impact cratering and analogue mission research communities. My field and lab work could not have been possible without the support of Cassandra Marion, Annemarie Pickersgill, and Marc Beauchamp. I’m grateful for the numerous academic discussions over the years with Dr. Dean Eppler (NASA), Dr. Livio Tornabene (UWO), Dr. Timothy Haltigin (CSA), Dr. Nadeem Ghafoor (MDA), and the entire Impacts Lunar Sample Return (ILSR) Analogue team. I’m also grateful for the support of Dr. Darlene Lim for my participation in the 2011 Pavilion Lake Research Project and Dr. Ralph Harvey for his support of my participation in the 2012- 2013Antarctic Search for Meteorites (ANSMET) campaign. The bulk of my supportive village were helpful in the day-to-day trials and tribulations of the challenging, yet rewarding, research process. We are collaborators, confidants, and friends - the positive support of this group continues to propel us forward. Thank-you to Cassandra Marion, Annemarie Pickersill, Emily McCullough, Bhairavi Shankar, Haley Sapers, Melissa Battler, Alaura Singleton, Louisa Preston, Alexandra Pontefract, Marc Beauchamp, and Raymond Francis. Finally, I’m confident that behind every successful scientist is a supportive family network. I’m thankful to Andy Forest, Julie Brown, my parents, sister, and brothers for always believing in me – you are my rock solid foundation from which I know anything is possible. v Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Co-Authorship Statement.................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iv List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... x List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Overview of lunar analogue activities .................................................................... 2 1.2 Hypervelocity impact events ................................................................................... 5 1.2.1 Contact and compression stage