Unusual sulfate cave mineral deposits at Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho: Potential analogue for Meridiani Planum, Mars
McHenry L. 2008. Unusual sulfate cave mineral deposits at Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho: Potential analogue for Meridiani Planum, Mars. In Conference: Wisconsin Space Conference
This study analyzes sulfate-rich precipitates in basaltic caves at Craters of the Moon National Monument (COM), Idaho. Basaltic lava tubes are likely common on Mars, and could preserve biosignatures from earlier, more habitable periods in Mars’ history. COM basalts are good Mars analogues because of their unusually high iron concentrations and the hematite and sulfate minerals found in their weathering products. Their weathering over a short time in a volcanic environment could address the origins of the sulfate-rich sedimentary rocks and silica-rich rock coatings at the MER Opportunity landing site. This project employed XRD, XRF, and SEM analyses of basalts and sulfate-rich precipitates collected from COM caves. Most mineral coatings analyzed from the walls and ceilings were calcite or silica-dominated, but mounds of Na-sulfate and Na-carbonate precipitates were present on the floors. While jarosite has been previously documented in COM caves, it was not observed during the present study.
- Type
- Conference Proceeding Paper
- Authors
- McHenry, Lindsey
- Units
- CRMO