A formation mechanism for hematite-rich spherules on Mars

Planetary and Space Science

Volumn 58, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 401-410

  Fan, Chaojun ^a   Xie, Hongjie ^a   Schulze Makuch, Dirk ^b   Ackley, Steve ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO   (United States)

^b WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY   (United States)

Author keywords

Formation mechanism; Hematite rich spherule; Mars surface; Meridiani Planum; Valles Marineris

Indexed keywords

FORMATION MECHANISM; HYDROTHERMAL FLUIDS; MARS EXPLORATION ROVER; MARS GLOBAL SURVEYOR; MERIDIANI PLANUM; OUT-FLOWS; ROCK FRAGMENTS; SEDIMENTARY DEPOSITS; SURFICIAL PROCESS; THERMAL EMISSION SPECTROMETERS; VALLES MARINERIS; VOLCANIC DEPOSITS;

CHAOS THEORY; DEPOSITS; HEMATITE; IRON ORES; OXIDE MINERALS; SEDIMENT TRANSPORT; SEDIMENTARY ROCKS; SEDIMENTOLOGY;

MARTIAN SURFACE ANALYSIS;

EID: 74149085247     PISSN: 00320633     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.pss.2009.11.001     Document Type: Article

References (116)

1. Andrews-Hanna J.C., Jeffrey C., Roger J.P., and Zuber M.T. Meridiani Planum and the global hydrogeology of Mars. Nature 446 (2007) 163-166
2. Arvidson R.E., Seelos F.P., Deal K.S., Koeppen W.C., Snider N.O., Kieniewicz J.M., Hynek B.M., Mellon M.T., and Garvin J.B. Mantled and exhumed terrains in Terra Meridiani, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. (2003) 108 10.1029/2002JE001982
3. Baker V.R., Strom R.G., Gulick V.C., Kargel J.S., Komatsu G., and Kale V.S. Ancient oceans, ice sheets and the hydrological cycle on Mars. Nature 352 (1991) 589-594 10.1038/352589a0
4. Baker V.R., Maruyama S., and Dohm J.M. Tharsis superplume and the geological evolution of early Mars. In: Yuen D.A., Maruyama S., Karato S.-I., and Windley B.F. (Eds). Superplumes: Beyond Plate Tectonics (2007), Springer 507-523
5. Barley M.E., Pickard A.L., Hagemann S.G., and Folkert S.L. Hydrothermal origin for the 2-billion-year-old Mount Tom Price giant iron ore deposit, Hamersley Province, Western Australia, Miner. Deposita 34 (1999) 784-789
6. Bell III J.E., and 39 colleagues. Pancam multispectral imaging results from the opportunity rover at meridiani planum. Science 306 (2004) 1703-1709
7. Benison K.C. A Martian analog in Kansas: comparing martian strata with permian acid saline lake deposits. Geology 34 (2006) 385-388
8. Bibring J.-P., Langevin Y., Gendrin A., Gondet B., Poulet F., Berthé M., Soufflot A., Arvidson R., Mangold N., Mustard J., and Drossart P. Mars surface diversity as revealed by the OMEGA/Mars express observations. Science 307 (2005) 1576-1581
9. Bibring J.-P., Langevin Y., Mustard J.F., Poulet F., Arvidson R., Gendrin A., Gondet B., Mangold N., Pinet P., and Forget F. Global mineralogical and aqueous Mars history derived from OMEGA/Mars express data. Science 312 (2006) 400-404 10.1126/science.1122659
10. Bibring J.-P., Arvidson R.E., Gendrin A., Gondet B., Langevin Y., Le Mouelic S., Mangold N., Morris R.V., Mustard J.F., Poulet F., Quantin C., and Sotin C. Coupled ferric oxides and sulfates on the Martian surface. Science 317 (2007) 1206-1210
11. Bischoff J.L. Goethite-hematite stability relations with relevance to sea water and the Red Sea brine system. In: Degens E.T., and Ross D.A. (Eds). Hot Brines and Recent Heavy Metal Deposits in the Red Sea (1969), Springer-Verlag, New York 402-406
12. Bohor B.F., and Glass B.P. Origin and diagenesis of K/T impact spherules - from Haiti to Wyoming and beyond. Meteoritics 30 (1995) 182-198
13. Brueckner J., and 12 colleagues. Hematite on the surface of Meiriani Planum and Gusev Crater. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVI (2005) #1767
14. Burns R.G. Rates and mechanisms of chemical weathering of ferromagnesian silicate minerals on Mars. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 57 (1993) 4555-4574
15. Calvin W.M., and 18 colleagues. Hematite spherules at Meridiani: results from MI, Mini-TES, and Pancam. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E12S37
16. Catling D.C., and Moore J.M. The nature of coarse-grained crystalline hematite and its implications for the early environment of Mars. Icarus 165 (2003) 277-300
17. Chan M.A., Beitler B., Parry W.T., Ormö J.J., and Komatsu G. A possible terrestrial analogue for hematite concretions on Mars. Nature 429 (2004) 731-734
18. Chapman M.G., and Tanaka K.L. Interior deposits on Mars: subice volcanoes?. J. Geophys. Res. 106 (2001) 10,087-10,100
19. Chapman M.G., and Tanaka K.L. Related magma-ice interaction: possible origins of Chasmata, Chaos, and surface materials in Xanthe, Margaritifer, and Meridiani Terrae, Mars. Icarus 155 (2002) 324-339
20. Chojnacki M., and Hynek B.M. Geological context of water-altered minerals in Valles Marineris, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E12005 10.1029/2007JE003070
21. Christensen P.R., and 15 colleagues. Detection of crystalline hematite mineralization on Mars by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer: evidence for near-surface water. J. Geophys. Res. 105 E4 (2000) 9623-9642
22. Christensen P.R., Morris R.V., Lane M.D., Bandfield J.L., and Malin M.C. Global mapping of martian hematite mineral deposits: remnants of water-driven processes on early Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 106 (2001) 23873-23885
23. Christensen P.R., and 25 colleagues. Mineralogy at Meridiani Planum from the Mini-TES experiment on the Opportunity rover. Science 306 (2004) 1733-1739
24. Cornell R.M., and Schwertmann U. The Iron Oxides: Structures, Properties, Reactions, Occurrences and Uses (1996), VCH, New York
25. Crumpler L.S. Vesicularity and fracture spacing of rocks on degraded lava flows: applicability to estimates of atmospheric density on early Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIII (2002) 1896
26. Curi N., and Franzmeier D.P. Effect of parent rocks on chemical and mineralogical properties of some oxisols in Brazil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 51 (1987) 153-158
27. Dohm J.M., Anderson R.C., and Tanaka K.L. Digital structural mapping ofmars. Astron. Geophys. 39 3 (1998) 3.20-3.22
28. Dohm J.M., and Tanaka K.L. Geology of the Thaumasia region, Mars: plateau development, valley origins, and magmatic evolution. Planet. Space Sci. 47 (1999) 411-431
29. Dohm J.M., Ferris J.C., Baker V.R., Anderson R.C., Hare T.M., Strom R.G., Barlow N.G., Tanaka K.L., Klemaszewski J.E., and Scott D.H. Ancient drainage basin of the Tharsis region, Mars: potential source for outflow channel systems and putative oceans or paleolakes. J. Geophys. Res. 106 (2001) 32,943-32,958
30. Dohm J.M., Tanaka K.L., and Hare T.M. Geologic map of the Thaumasia region of Mars: USGS Misc. Inv. Ser. (2001) Map I-2650, scale 1:5,000,000
31. Dohm J.M., Baker V.R., Maruyama S., and Anderson R.C. Traits and evolution of the Tharsis superplume, Mars. In: Yuen D.A., Maruyama S., Karato S.-I., and Windley B.F. (Eds). Superplumes: Beyond Plate Tectonics (2007), Springer 523-537
32. Dohm J.M., Barlow N.G., Anderson R.C., Williams J.-P., Miyamoto H., Ferris J.C., Strom R.G., Taylor G.J., Fairén A.G., Baker V.R., Boynton W.V., Keller J.M., Kerry K., Janes D., Rodriguez J.A.P., and Hare T.M. Possible ancient giant basin and related water enrichment in the Arabia Terra province, Mars. Icarus 190 (2007) 74-92 10.1016/j.icarus.2007.03.006
33. Dohm J.M., Williams J.-P., Anderson R.C., Ruiz J., McGuire P.C., Komatsu G., Davila A.F., Ferris J.C., Schulze-Makuch D., Baker V.R., Boynton W.V., Fairén A.G., Hare T.M., Miyamoto H., Tanaka K.L., and Wheelock S.J. New evidence for a magmatic influence on the origin of Valles Marineris, Mars. J. Volcanol. Geothermal Res. 185 (2009) 12-27
34. Dohm J.M., and 20 others. GRS evidence and the possibility of paleooceans on Mars. Planet. Space Sci. 57 (2009) 664-684
35. Edgett K.S., and Parker T.J. Water on early Mars: possible subaqueous sedimentary deposits covering ancient cratered terrain in western Arabia and Sinus Meridiani. Geophys. Res. Lett. 24 (1997) 2897-2900
36. Fairén A.G., Dohm J.M., Baker V.R., de Pablo M.A., Ruiz J., Ferris J., and Anderson R. Episodic flood inundations of the northern plains of Mars. Icarus 165 (2003) 53-67
37. Fan C., Schulze-Makuch D., Fairén A.G., and Wolff J.A. A new hypothesis for origin and redistribution of sulfates in the equatorial region of western Mars. Geophys. Res. Lett. 35 (2008) L0620 10.1029/2007GL033079
38. Fan C., Schulze-Makuch D., and Wolff J.A. Cation sources of the sulfate evaporites in Valles Marineris, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIV (2008) 1965
39. Frau F. The formation-dissolution-precipitation cycle of melanterite at the abandoned pyrite mine of Genna Luas in Sardinia, Italy: environmental implications. Miner. Mag. 64 (2000) 995-1006
40. Fueten F., Stesky R.M., and MacKinnon P. Structural attitudes of large scale layering in Valles Marineris, Mars, calculated from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data and Mars Orbiter Camera imagery. Icarus 175 (2005) 68-77
41. Gendrin A., Bibring J.-P., Mustard J., Mangold N., Quantin C., Gondet B., Langevin Y., Poulet F., Sotin C., Le Mouelic S., Combe J.-P., and Hutchison L. Identification of predominant ferric signatures in association to the Martian sulfate deposits. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVI (2005) 1378
42. Gendrin A., Bibring J.-P., Quantin C., Mangold N., Le Mouélic S., Hauber E., Gondet B., Langevin Y., Poulet F., and Arvidson R. Two years of sulfate mapping in Valles Marineris and Terra Meridiani as seen by OMEGA/Mares Express. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVII (2006) 1872
43. Glotch T.D., and Christensen P.R. Geologic and mineralogic mapping of Aram Chaos: evidence for a water-rich history. J. Geophys. Res. 110 (2005) E09006 10.1029/2004JE002389
44. Glotch T.D., and Bandfield J.L. Determination and interpretation of surface and atmospheric Mini-TES spectral endmembers at the Meridiani Planum landing site. J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006) E12S06 10.1029/2005JE002671
45. Glotch T.D., and Rogers A.D. Evidence for aqueous deposition of hematite- and sulfate-rich light-toned layered deposits in Aureum and Iani Chaos, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 112 (2007) E06001 10/1029/2006JE002863
46. Golden D.C., Ming D.W., Morris R.V., and Graff T.G. Hydrothermal synthesis of hematite spherules and jarosite: implications for diagenesis and hematite spherule formation in sulfate outcrops at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Am. Miner. 93 (2008) 1201-1214
47. Golombek M.P., Grant J.A., Crumpler L.S., Greeley R., Arvidson R.E., Bell III J.F., Weitz C.M., Sullivan R., Christensen P.R., Soderblom L.A., and Squyres S.W. Erosion rates at the Mars Exploration Rover landing sites and long-term climate change on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006) E12S10 10.1029/2006JE002754
48. Graup G. Terrestrial chondrules, glass spherules and accretionary lapilli from the suevite, Ries Crater, Germany. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 55 (1981) 407-418
49. Grotzinger J.P., and 19 colleagues. Stratigraphy and sedimentology of a dry to wet eolian depositional system, Burns Formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240 (2005) 11-72
50. Guilbert J.M., and Frank Jr. C.F. The Geology of Ore Deposits (1986), W.H. Freeman, New York
51. Hauber, E., and 10 colleagues, 2005. Interior layered deposits in Valles Marineris, Mars:Insights from 3D-data obtained by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express. Geophys. Res. Abstr. 7, 03642.
52. Herkenhoff K.E., and 32 colleagues. Evidence from Opportunity's microscopic imager for water on Meridiani Planum. Science 306 (2004) 1727-1730
53. Hitzman M.W., Oreskes N., and Einaudi M.T. Geological characteristics and tectonic setting of Proterozoic iron oxide (Cu-U-Au-REE) deposits. Precambrian Res. 58 (1992) 241-287
54. Hutchison L., Mustard J.F., Gendrin A., Bibring J.-P., Langevin Y., Gondet B., Mangold N., and The OMEGA Science Team. Mafic polyhydrated sulfates and Kieserite in Capri Chasma. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXVI (2005) 1404
55. Hynek B.M., Arvidson R.E., and Phillips R.J. Geologic setting and origin of Terra Meridiani hematite deposit on Mars. J. Geophys. Res. (2002) 107 10.1029/2002JE001891
56. Hynek B.M., Phillips R.J., and Arvidson R.E. Explosive volcanism in the Tharsis region: Global evidence in the martian geologic record. J. Geophys. Res. (2003) 108 10.1029/2003JE002062
57. Hynek B.M. Extensive bedrock throughout Terra Meridiani, Mars: implications for hydrologic processes. Nature 431 (2004) 156-159
58. Hynek B.M., and Phillips R.J. The stratigraphy of Meridiani Planum, Mars, and implications for the layered deposits' origin. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 274 (2008) 214-220
59. Kirkland L.E., Herr K.C., and Adams P.M. A different perspective for the Mars rover "Opportunity" site: fine-grained, consolidated hematite and hematite coatings. Geophys. Res. Lett. 31 (2004) L05704
60. Klingelhöfer G., and 18 colleagues. Jarosite and Hematite at Meridiani Planum from Opportunity's Mössbauer Spectrometer. Science 306 (2004) 1740-1745
61. Knauth L.P., Burt D.M., and Wohletz K.H. Impact origin of sediments at the Opportunity landing site on Mars. Nature 438 (2005) 1123-1128
62. Knoll A.H., and 16 colleagues. Veneers, rinds, and fracture fills: relatively late alteration of sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E06S16 10.1029/2007JE002949
63. Knudson, A.T., Christensen, P.R., 2004. Hematite in Valles Marineris: context, composition, distribution, morphology, physical properties, and comparison to other Mars hematite deposits. In: AGU Fall Meeting, #P21A-0215
64. Knudson, A.T., Christensen, P.R., 2005. Hematite in Valles Marineris, Mars. In: AGU Fall Meeting, #P21C-0162.
65. Knudson, A.T., Arvidson, R.E., Christensen, P.R., Murchie, S.L., Mustard, J.F., Roach, L.H., Weitz, C.M., Wiseman, S.M., 2007. Aqueous geology in Valles Marineris: new insights in the relationship of hematite and sulfates from CRISM and HiRISE. 7th Mars, #3370.
66. Komatsu G., and Strom R.G. Layered deposits with volcanic intrusions in Gangis Chasma, Mars. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXI (1990) 651-652
67. Komatsu G., Geissler P.E., Strom R.G., and Singer R.B. Stratigraphy and erosional landforms of layered deposits in Valles Marineris. Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 98 (1993) 11,105-11,121
68. Komatsu G., Dohm J.M., and Hare T.M. Hydrogeologic processes of large-scale tectonomagmatic complexes in Mongolia - southern Siberia and on Mars. Geology 32 (2004) 325-328
69. Komatsu G., Ori G.G., Ciarcelluti P., and Litasov Y. Interior layered deposits of Valles Marineris, Mars: analogous subice volcanism related to Baikal rifting, Southern Siberia. Planet. Space Sci. 52 (2004) 167-187
70. Lane M.D., Christensen P.R., and Hartmann W.K. Utilization of the THEMIS visible and infrared imaging data for crater population studies of the Meridiani Planum landing site. Geophys. Res. Lett. (2003) 30 10.1029/2003GL017183
71. Langmuir D. Particle size effect on the reaction goethite=hematite+water. Am. J. Sci. 271 (1971) 147-156
72. Le Deit L., Le Mouelic S., Beougeois O., Combe J.-P., Mege D., Sotin C., Gendrin A., Hauber E., Mangold N., and Bibring J.-P. Ferric oxides in East Candor Chasma, Valles Marineris (Mars) inferred from analysis of OMEGA/Mars Express data; indentification and geological interpretation. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E07001 10.1029/2007JE002950
73. Lowe D.R., Byerly G.R., Kyte F.T., Shukolyukov A., Krull A., and Asaro F. Characteristics, origin, and interpretation of Archean impactproduced spherule beds, 3.47-3.22 Ga, in the Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa: keys to the role of large impacts on the evolution of the early Earth. Astrobiology 3 (2003) 7-48
74. Lucchitta B.K. Valles Marineris - faults, volcanic rocks, channels, basin beds. NASA TM 84211 (1981) 419-421
75. Lucchitta B.K. Lakes or playas in Valles Marineris. NASA TM 85127 (1982) 233-234
76. Lucchitta B.K. Young volcanic deposits in the Valles Marineris, Mars. Icarus 86 (1990) 476-509
77. Lucchitta B.K., Clow G.D., Geissler P.E., McEwen A.S., Schultz R.A., Singer R.B., and Squyres S.W. The canyon system on Mars. In: Kieffer H.H., Jakosky B.M., Snyder C.W., and Matthews M.S. (Eds). Mars (1992), University of Arizona Press, Arizona 453-492
78. Lucchitta B.K., Isbell N.K., and Howington-Kraus A. Topography of Valles Marineris: implications for erosional and structural history. J. Geophys. Res. 99 (1994) 3783-3798
79. Malin M.C., and Edgett K.S. Sedimentary rocks of early Mars. Science 290 (2000) 1927-1937
80. Mangold N., Gendrin A., Gondet B., LeMouelic S., Quantin C., Ansan V., Bibring J.-P., Langevin Y., Masson P., and Neukum G. Spectral and geological study of the sulfate-rich region of West Candor Chasma, Mars. Icarus 194 (2008) 519-543
81. Martin D.M., Powell C.M., and George A.D. Stratigraphic architecture and evolution of the early Paleoproterozoic McGrath Trough, Western Australia. Precambrian Res. 99 (2000) 33-64
82. McCollom T.M., and Hynek B.M. A volcanic environment for bedrock diagenesis at Meridiani Planum on Mars. Nature 438 (2005) 1129-1131
83. McKay C., and Nedell S. Are there carbonate deposits in the Valles Marineris, Mars?. Icarus 73 (1988) 142-148 10.1016/00191035(88)90088-7
84. McCauley J.F. Geological map of the Coprates quadrangle of Mars. US Geol. Surv. Misc. Invets. Series Map (1978) I-897
85. McLennan S.M., and 31 colleagues. Provenance and diagenesis of the evaporite-bearing Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240 (2005) 95-121
86. Morris R.C. A textural and mineralogical study of the relationship of iron ore to banded iron-formation in the Hamersley Iron Province of western Australia. Econ. Geol. 75 (1980) 184-209
87. Morris R.V., Ming D.W., Graff T.G., Arvidson R.E., Bell III J.F., Squyres S.W., Mertzman S.A., Gruener J.E., Golden D.C., Le L., and Robinson G.A. Hematite spherules in basaltic tephra altered under aqueous, acid-sulfate conditions on Mauna Kea volcano, Hawaii: possible clues for the occurrence of hematite-rich spherules in the Burns formation at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240 (2005) 168-178
88. Morris R.V., and 23 colleagues. Mössbauer mineralogy of rock, soil, and dust at Meridiani Planum, Mars: Opportunity's journey across sulfate-rich outcrop, basaltic sand and dust, and hematite lag deposits. J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006) E12S15 10.1029/2006JE002791
89. Murchie S.L., Erard S., Mustard J.F., Bibring J., Langevin Y., Head J.W., and Pieters C.M. The geology of the interior deposits of Valles Marineris from Viking images and ISM imaging spectroscopy. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXIII (1992) 945-946
90. Murchie S., Roach L., Seelos F., Milliken R., Mustard J., Arvidson R., Wiseman S., Lichtenberg K., Andrews-Hanna J., Bishop J., Bibring J.-P., Parente M., and Morris R. Evidence for the origin of layered deposits in Candor Chasma, Mars, from mineral composition and hydrologic modeling. J. Geophys. Res. 114 (2009) E00D05 10.1029/2009JE003343
91. Nedell S.S., Squyres S.W., and Andersen D.W. Origin and evolution of the layered deposits in the Valles Marineris, Mars. Icarus 70 (1987) 409-414
92. Okubo C.H., Lewis K.W., McEwen A.S., and Kirk R.L. Relative age of interior layered deposits in southwest Candor Chasma based on high-resolution structural mapping. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E12002 10.1029/2008JE003181
93. Peterson C. A secondary origin for the central plateau of Hebes Chasma. Lunar Planet. Sci. XII (1981) 1459-1471
94. Poulet F., Bibring J.-P., Mustard J.F., Gendrin A., Mangold N., Langevin Y., Arvidson R.E., Gondet B., and Gomez C. Phyllosilicates on Mars and implications for early martian climate. Nature 438 (2005) 623-627 10.1038/nature04274
95. Powell C.McA., Oliver N.H.S., Li Z.-X., Martin D.McB., and Ronaszeki J. Synorogenic hydrothermal origin for giant Hamersley iron oxide ore bodies. Geology 27 (1999) 175-178 10.1130/0091-7613
96. Presley, M.A., Arvidson, R.E., 1988. Nature and origin of materials exposed in the Oxia Palus-Western Arabia-Sinus Meridiani region, Mars. Icarus 75, 499-517.
97. Ramanaidou E., Nahon D., Decarreau A., and Melfi A.J. Hematite and goethite from duricrusts developed by lateritic chemical weathering of Precambrian banded iron formations, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Clays Clay Miner 44 (1996) 22-31
98. Rieder R., and 14 colleagues. Chemistry of rocks and soils at Meridiani Planum from the alpha particle X-ray spectrometer. Science 306 (2004) 1746-1749
99. Roach, L.H., Mustard, J.F., Murchie, S.L., Bishop, J.L., Weitz, C.M., Knudson, A.T., Bibring, J-P., Pelkey, S.M., Ehlmann, B.L., 2007. Magnesium and iron sulfate variety and distribution in East Candor and Capri Chasma, Valles Marineris. 7th Mars, #3223.
100. Roach L.H., and 10 colleagues. Sulfate mineral stratigraphy in Valles Marineris interior layered deposits. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXIV (2008) #1891
101. Robinson C.A. The crustal dichotomy of Mars. Earth Moon Planets 69 (1995) 249-269
102. Schultz R.A. Structural development of Coprates Chasma and western Ophir Planum, Valles Marineris Rift, Mars. J. Geophys. Res. 96 (1991) 22,777-22,792
103. Schulze-Makuch D., Dohm J.M., Fan C., Fairen A.G., Rodriguez J.A.P., Baker V.R., and Fink W. Exploration of hydrotehrmal targets on Mars. Icarus 189 (2007) 308-324
104. Schulze-Makuch D., Fairén A.G., and Davila A.F. The case for life on Mars. Int. J. Astrobiol. 7 (2008) 117-141
105. Sefton-Nash E., and Catling D.C. Hematitic concretions at Meridiani Planum, Mars: their growth timescale and possible relationship with iron sulfates. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 269 (2008) 366-376
106. Smith D.E., and 17 colleagues. The global topography of Mars and implications for surface evolution. Science 284 (1999) 1495-1503
107. Soderblom L.A., and 43 colleagues. Soils of Eagle Crater and Meridiani Planum at the Opportunity Rover landing site. Science 306 (2004) 1723-1726
108. Squyres S.W., and 18 colleagues. In situ evidence for an ancient aqueous environment at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Science 306 (2004) 1709-1714
109. Squyres S.W., and 49 colleagues. The Opportunity Rover's Athena science investigation at Meridiani Planum, Mars. Science 306 (2004) 1698-1703
110. Squyres S.W., and 52 colleagues. Overview of the Opportunity Mars Exploration Rover Mission to Meridiani Planum: Eagle Crater to Purgatory Ripple. J. Geophys. Res. 111 (2006) E12S12
111. Squyres S.W., and Knoll A.H. Sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum: origin, diagenesis, and implications for life on Mars. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240 (2005) 1-10
112. Tanaka K.L., Skinner Jr. J.A., Hare T.M., Joyal T., and Wenker A. Resurfacing history of the northern plains of Mars based on geologic mapping of Mars Global Surveyor data. J. Geophys. Res. 108 (2003) 8043 10.1029/2002JE001908
113. Tang Y., Chen Q., and Huang Y. Early Mars may have had a methanol ocean. Icarus 180 (2006) 88-92
114. Tosca N.J., McLennan S.M., Clark B.C., Grotzinger J.P., Hurowitz J.A., Knoll A.H., Schröder C., and Squyres S.W. Geochemical modeling of evaporation processes on Mars: insight from the sedimentary record at Meridiani Planum. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 240 (2005) 122-148
115. Weitz C.M., and Parker T.J. New evidence that the Valles Marineris interior layered deposits formed in standing bodies of water. Lunar Planet. Sci. XXXI (2000) #1693
116. Weitz. C.M., Lane M.D., Staid M., and Noe Dobrea E. Gray hematite distribution and formation in Ophir and Candor chasmata. J. Geophys. Res. 113 (2008) E02016 10.1029/2007JE002930