Planetary science: Bedrock formation at Meridiani Planum

Squyres, S. W. and Aharonson, O. and Arvidson, R. E. and Bell Iii, J. F. and Christensen, P. R. and Clark, B. C. and Crisp, J. A. and Farrand, W. and Glotch, T. and Golombek, M. P. and Grant, J. and Grotzinger, J. and Herkenhoff, K. E. and Johnson, J. R. and Jolliff, B. L. and Knoll, A. H. and McLennan, S. M. and McSween, H. Y. and Moore, J. M. and Rice Jr, J. W. and Tosca, N. J. (2006) Planetary science: Bedrock formation at Meridiani Planum. Nature, 443 (7107). DOI 10.1038/nature05212

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Abstract

The Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity discovered sulphate-rich sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum on Mars, which are interpreted by McCollom and Hynek1 as altered volcanic rocks. However, their conclusions are derived from an incorrect representation of our depositional mode, which is upheld by more recent Rover data. We contend that all the available data still support an aeolian and aqueous sedimentary origin for Meridiani bedrock.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems
Divisions:	01 - Climate Change and Earth-Ocean Atmosphere Systems
Journal or Publication Title:	Nature
Volume:	443
Identification Number:	10.1038/nature05212
Depositing User:	Sarah Humbert
Date Deposited:	17 Dec 2009 12:24
Last Modified:	23 Jul 2013 09:56
URI:	http://eprints.esc.cam.ac.uk/id/eprint/1244

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