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Primary igneous rocks on Mars: Composition and distributionThe present knowledge of the crustal composition of Mars is synthesized and implications discussed for in-situ resource utilization. Sources of information include remote sensing observations, Viking XRF chemical measurements, and characteristics of the SNC meteorites (which most researchers now believe originated on Mars). There are a number of lines of evidence that abundant ferrous-iron rich igneous crustal rocks (and derivative soils) are available at or very near the current Martian surface at many locations on the planet. Most of these exposures show spectroscopic evidence for abundant pyroxene, consistent with basaltic compositions. The SNC meteorites, which have basaltic compositions, were also studied extensively. Interpretations of Mars crustal chemistry and mineralogy (petrology) based on these various sources are reviewed, and their consistencies and differences are discussed.
Document ID
19910016769
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Singer, Robert B.
(Arizona Univ. Tucson., United States)
Mcsween, Harry Y., Jr.
(Tennessee Univ. Knoxville., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Resources of Near-Earth Space: Abstracts
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
91N26083
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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