Abstract
Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover data are used to describe the morphology of desiccation cracks observed in ancient lacustrine strata at Gale crater, Mars, and to interpret their paleoenvironmental setting. The desiccation cracks indicate subaerial exposure of lacustrine facies in the Sutton Island member of the Murray formation. In association with ripple cross-stratification and possible eolian cross-bedding, these facies indicate a transition from longer-lived perennial lakes recorded by older strata to younger lakes characterized by intermittent exposure. The transition from perennial to episodically exposed lacustrine environments provides evidence for local to regional climate change that can help constrain Mars climate models.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 515-518 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Geology |
| Volume | 46 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2018 |
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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Geology
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Desiccation cracks provide evidence of lake drying on Mars, Sutton Island member, Murray formation, Gale Crater. / Stein, N.; Grotzinger, J. P.; Schieber, J.; Mangold, N.; Hallet, B.; Newsom, H.; Stack, K. M.; Berger, J. A.; Thompson, L.; Siebach, K. L.; Cousin, A.; Le Mouélic, S.; Minitti, M.; Sumner, D. Y.; Fedo, C.; House, Christopher H.; Gupta, S.; Vasavada, A. R.; Gellert, R.; Wiens, R. C.; Frydenvang, J.; Forni, O.; Meslin, P. Y.; Payré, V.; Dehouck, E.
In: Geology, Vol. 46, No. 6, 01.06.2018, p. 515-518.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Desiccation cracks provide evidence of lake drying on Mars, Sutton Island member, Murray formation, Gale Crater
AU - Stein, N.
AU - Grotzinger, J. P.
AU - Schieber, J.
AU - Mangold, N.
AU - Hallet, B.
AU - Newsom, H.
AU - Stack, K. M.
AU - Berger, J. A.
AU - Thompson, L.
AU - Siebach, K. L.
AU - Cousin, A.
AU - Le Mouélic, S.
AU - Minitti, M.
AU - Sumner, D. Y.
AU - Fedo, C.
AU - House, Christopher H.
AU - Gupta, S.
AU - Vasavada, A. R.
AU - Gellert, R.
AU - Wiens, R. C.
AU - Frydenvang, J.
AU - Forni, O.
AU - Meslin, P. Y.
AU - Payré, V.
AU - Dehouck, E.
PY - 2018/6/1
Y1 - 2018/6/1
N2 - Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover data are used to describe the morphology of desiccation cracks observed in ancient lacustrine strata at Gale crater, Mars, and to interpret their paleoenvironmental setting. The desiccation cracks indicate subaerial exposure of lacustrine facies in the Sutton Island member of the Murray formation. In association with ripple cross-stratification and possible eolian cross-bedding, these facies indicate a transition from longer-lived perennial lakes recorded by older strata to younger lakes characterized by intermittent exposure. The transition from perennial to episodically exposed lacustrine environments provides evidence for local to regional climate change that can help constrain Mars climate models.
AB - Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity rover data are used to describe the morphology of desiccation cracks observed in ancient lacustrine strata at Gale crater, Mars, and to interpret their paleoenvironmental setting. The desiccation cracks indicate subaerial exposure of lacustrine facies in the Sutton Island member of the Murray formation. In association with ripple cross-stratification and possible eolian cross-bedding, these facies indicate a transition from longer-lived perennial lakes recorded by older strata to younger lakes characterized by intermittent exposure. The transition from perennial to episodically exposed lacustrine environments provides evidence for local to regional climate change that can help constrain Mars climate models.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85047792886&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1130/G40005.1
DO - 10.1130/G40005.1
M3 - Article
VL - 46
SP - 515
EP - 518
JO - Geology
JF - Geology
SN - 0091-7613
IS - 6
ER -