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A lacustrine paleoenvironment recorded at Vera Rubin ridge, Gale crater: Overview of the sedimentology and stratigraphy observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover
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  • Lauren Ashley Edgar,
  • Christopher M. Fedo,
  • Sanjeev Gupta,
  • Steven Banham,
  • Abigail A. Fraeman,
  • John P. Grotzinger,
  • Kathryn Stack Morgan,
  • Nathaniel Stein,
  • Kristen Bennett,
  • Frances Rivera-Hernández,
  • Vivian Zheng Sun,
  • Kenneth S. Edgett,
  • David M. Rubin,
  • Christopher H House,
  • Jason Van Beek
Lauren Ashley Edgar
USGS Astrogeology Science Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Christopher M. Fedo
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
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Sanjeev Gupta
Imperial College
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Steven Banham
Imperial College London
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Abigail A. Fraeman
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
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John P. Grotzinger
California Institute of Technology
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Kathryn Stack Morgan
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Nathaniel Stein
California Institute of Technology
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Kristen Bennett
USGS Flagstaff
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Frances Rivera-Hernández
Dartmouth College
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Vivian Zheng Sun
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Kenneth S. Edgett
Malin Space Science Systems
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David M. Rubin
UC Santa Cruz
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Christopher H House
Pennsylvania State University
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Jason Van Beek
Malin Space Science Systems
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Abstract

For ~ 500 sols, the Mars Science Laboratory team explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on the northwest slope of Aeolis Mons. Here we review the sedimentary facies and stratigraphy observed during sols 1800-2300, covering more than 100 m of stratigraphic thickness. Curiosity’s traverse includes two transects across the ridge, which enables studies of lateral variability over a distance of ~ 300 m. Three informally named stratigraphic members of the Murray formation are described: Blunts Point, Pettegrove Point, and Jura, with the latter two forming the ridge. The Blunts Point member, exposed just below the ridge, is characterized by a recessive, fine-grained facies that exhibits extensive planar lamination and is crosscut by abundant curviplanar veins. The Pettegrove Point member is more resistant, fine-grained, thinly planar laminated, and contains a higher abundance of diagenetic concretions. Conformable above the Pettegrove Point member is the Jura member, which is also fine-grained and parallel stratified, but is marked by a distinct step in topography which coincides with meter-scale inclined strata, a thinly and thickly laminated facies, and occasional crystal molds. All members record low-energy lacustrine deposition, consistent with prior observations of the Murray formation. Uncommon outcrops of low-angle stratification suggest possible subaqueous currents, and steeply inclined beds may be the result of slumping. Collectively, the rocks exposed at VRR provide additional evidence for a long-lived lacustrine environment (in excess of 10^6 years via comparison to terrestrial records of sedimentation), which extends our understanding of the duration of habitable conditions in Gale crater.
Mar 2020Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets volume 125 issue 3. 10.1029/2019JE006307