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Mars weathering analogs - Secondary mineralization in Antarctic basaltsAlkalic basalt samples from Ross Island, Antarctica, are evaluated as terrestrial analogs to weathered surface materials on Mars. Secondary alteration in the rocks is limited to pneumatolytic oxidation of igneous minerals and glass, rare groundmass clay and zeolite mineralization, and hydrothermal minerals coating fractures and vesicle surfaces. Hydrothermal mineral assemblages consist mainly of K-feldspar, zeolites (phillipsite and chabazite), calcite, and anhydrite. Low alteration rates are attributed to cold and dry environmental factors common to both Antarctica and Mars. It is noted that mechanical weathering (aeolian abrasion) of Martian equivalents to present Antarctic basalts would yield minor hydrothermal minerals and local surface fines composed of primary igneous minerals and glass but would produce few hydrous products, such as palagonite, clay or micas. It is thought that leaching of hydrothermal vein minerals by migrating fluids and redeposition in duricrust deposits may represent an alternate process for incorporating secondary minerals of volcanic origin into Martian surface fines.
Document ID
19820048242
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Berkley, J. L.
(Arizona, University Tucson, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1982
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Start Date: March 16, 1981
End Date: March 20, 1981
Accession Number
82A31777
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7577
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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