Sixth International Conference on Mars (2003) sess19.pdf

Wednesday, July 23, 2003 POSTER SESSION II: EARLY MARS, EARLY WATER, STRATIFIED DEPOSITS, VOLCANISM, AND SURFACE MATERIALS 11:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Dabney Garden

Nature and Origin of Stratified Deposits

Buczkowski D. L. McGill G. E. Utopia Planitia: Observations and Models Favoring Thick Water-deposited Sediments [#3031] Early Hesperian and older surfaces beneath Utopia Planitia are buried by as much as 2–3 km of Late Hesperian cover. Evidence of various types and scales, and modeling of polygonal terrain structures, supports deposition of this cover from water.

Fallacaro A. Calvin W. Spectral and Chemical Characteristics of Lake Superior Banded Iron Formation: Analog for Martian Hematite Outcrops [#3067] Lake Superior BIF is an ancient terrestrial deposit serving as an analog to the martian hematite sites. Samples of the oxide, carbonate, and silicate facies of Lake Superior BIF have been measured for their VNIR/SWIR reflectance and TIR emittance.

Irwin R. P. III Watters T. R. Howard A. D. Maxwell T. A. Zimbelman J. R. Origin of Aeolis Mensae, Mars, Fretted Terrain in a Thick Sedimentary Deposit [#3092] The boulder-free slopes, lack of surface flow paths, abrupt steepening of valley longitudinal profiles, and layered stratigraphy suggest that Aeolis Mensae fretted terrain formed primarily by aeolian erosion and mass wasting of a sedimentary deposit.

Tanaka K. L. Skinner J. A. Jr. Mars: Updating Geologic Mapping Approaches and the Formal Stratigraphic Scheme [#3129] We review mapping and stratigraphic approaches used for Mars, identifying shortcomings and recommending improvements. We envision significant advancements in the state of knowledge of the geologic evolution of Mars.

Noe Dobrea E. Z. Bell J. F. III Wolff M. J. Snook K. J. MGS/TES-Odyssey/THEMIS-IR Analysis of Localized Low Albedo Regions in Valles Marineris [#3179] We are are using the MGS/TES and Mars Odyssey THEMIS-IR complementary datasets to conduct a systematic analysis of small (tens of kilometers), localized regions in Valles Marineris that display significant albedo differences relative to their surroundings. Findings will be discussed.

Howard A. D. Moore J. M. The Curious Shorelines of Gorgonum Chaos [#3190] Level, bench-like platforms in the interior of the Gorgonum Chaos basin appear to be shorelines associated with an ancient lake by outward growth in a quiescent environment, possibly in ice-covered bodies of water and possibly, in part, as chemical precipitates.

Anderson F. S. Hamilton V. E. Christensen P. R. Mineralogy of the Valles Marineris from TES and THEMIS [#3280] This study uses Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer and 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging Systemdata to examine the mineralogy of the wall and floor deposits of the Valles Marineris, where exposed.