Valles Marineris, like the Grand Canyon in northern Arizona, provides a spectacular look at the geologic history via layered sediments that get older with depth.
Sedimentary rock
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving, Status Report
Rover-Induced Mineral Transformations: Extent of the Effect for the Mars Science Laboratory and Opportunities for Future Landed Mission
X-ray amorphous sulfate hydrates are a substantial component (up to 23 wt%) of the sedimentary rocks and sands analyzed to date by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover at Gale […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs, Status Report
Strong Nickel Enrichment Co-located With Redox-organic Interactions In Neretva Vallis, Mars
In 2024, NASA’s Perseverance rover explored Neretva Vallis, an ancient river channel that once transported water into Jezero crater.
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Fossils & Paleontology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release, Robotics/Rovers/UAVs
Serendipitous Discovery Of Martian Ripple Marks Reveals An Ancient Sandstorm
The search for life on Mars involves the efforts of scientists from many different disciplines. An important aspect of that search is to study Martian sedimentary rocks for information about […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Fossils & Paleontology, Gaia - Planetary Perspectives, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Rock Record Illuminates Earth’s Oxygen History
Several key moments in Earth’s history help us humans answer the question, “How did we get here?”
Posted inAstrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Away Teams & Field Reports, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Extinction events, Fossils & Paleontology, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Mapping, Geodesy, Cartography, Bathymetry, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report
Effect Of A Giant Meteorite Impact On Paleoarchean Surface Environments And Life
Large meteorite impacts must have strongly affected the habitability of the early Earth. Rocks of the Archean Eon record at least 16 major impact events, involving bolides larger than 10 […]
Posted inAstrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, Missions & Hardware, Press Release, ROVs/Submersibles/Diving
Perseverance Investigates Fine-grained Sedimentary Rock On Mars For Biosignatures
Exploring a sediment-rich location in this Mars delta offers tantalizing opportunities for the six-wheeler’s science team.
Posted inImaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Press Release
The Age and Erosion Rate of Young Sedimentary Rock on Mars
The Medusae Fossae Formation (MFF) is an enigmatic sedimentary unit near the equator of Mars, with an uncertain formation process and absolute age.