Sedimentary rocks of early Mars
Abstract
Layered and massive outcrops on Mars, some as thick as 4 kilometers, display the geomorphic attributes and stratigraphic relations of sedimentary rock. Repeated beds in some locations imply a dynamic depositional environment during early martian history. Subaerial (such as eolian, impact, and volcaniclastic) and subaqueous processes may have contributed to the formation of the layers. Affinity for impact craters suggests dominance of lacustrine deposition; alternatively, the materials were deposited in a dry, subaerial setting in which atmospheric density, and variations thereof mimic a subaqueous depositional environment. The source regions and transport paths for the materials are not preserved.
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The surface of Mars is covered by an unconsolidated regolith produced by the combined action of impact comminution, physical erosion by wind, water, and lava, and chemical weathering by fluids and oxidants.
“The surface of Mars is covered by an unconsolidated regolith produced by the combined action of impact comminution, physical erosion by wind, water, and lava, and chemical weathering by fluids and oxidants (mostly early in the history of Mars) (McCauley, 1973; Malin and Edgett, 2000; Golombek and Bridges, 2000; Goetz et al., 2005; Yen et al., 2005; Murchie et al., 2009).”
From Mars global simulant MGS-1: A Rocknest-based open standard for basaltic martian regolith simulants (2019) · cites this paper as Malin and Edgett, 2000
Cites
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Geomorphic evolution of the Martian highlands through ancient fluvial processes
Craddock, R. A., & Maxwell, T. A. (1993) · Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets · doi:10.1029/92je02508 · Cited by 242 · see citing works
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Cratering Chronology and the Evolution of Mars
Hartmann, W. K., & Neukum, G. (2001) · Space Science Reviews · doi:10.1023/a:1011945222010 · Cited by 909 · see citing works
A Habitable Fluvio-Lacustrine Environment at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars
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Self-citationAncient ocean on Mars supported by global distribution of deltas and valleys
Di Achille, G., & Hynek, B. M. (2010) · Nature Geoscience · doi:10.1038/ngeo891 · Cited by 417 · see citing works
Mars global simulant MGS-1: A Rocknest-based open standard for basaltic martian regolith simulants
Cannon, K. M., Britt, D. T., Smith, T. M., Fritsche, R. F., & Batcheldor, D. (2019) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2018.08.019 · Cited by 243 · see citing works
Mineral abundances at the final four curiosity study sites and implications for their formation
Poulet, F., Carter, J., Bishop, J. L., Loizeau, D., & Murchie, S. M. (2014) · Icarus · doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2013.11.023 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
- Authors
- Malin, M. C., & Edgett, K. S.
- Affiliations
- Malin Space Science Systems (United States) (US)
- Corresponding author
- Malin, Michael C.
- Venue
- Science
- Published
- 2000-12-08
- Volume
- 290
- Issue
- 5498
- Pages
- 1927-1937
- ISSN
- 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
- 1095-9203
- OpenAlex
- W1983027048
- Cited by
- 842
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 33 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 29 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 26 · 2019: 63 · 2018: 35 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 43 · 2013: 38 · 2012: 46
- FWCI
- 24.63
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Science (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Planetary Science and Exploration
- Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astro and Planetary Science
- Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Earth-Surface Processes › Geological formations and processes
- Keywords
- sedimentary rock, early Mars, Martian stratigraphy, layered deposits, lacustrine deposition, aeolian processes, volcaniclastic deposits, air density, depositional environment
- MeSH terms
- Atmosphere, Atmospheric Pressure, Extraterrestrial Environment, Water, Mars, Exobiology, Volcanic Eruptions, Geologic Sediments
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