The sedimentary rock cycle of Mars

摘要: Abstract Orbital and landed missions have demonstrated that Mars possesses an extensive diverse sedimentary rock record is mostly ancient. Many observed or inferred processes appear familiar to geologists but, in detail, the of differs fundamental ways from terrestrial record. a basaltic planet accordingly, provenance material, including particulate debris aqueous fluids which chemical constituents precipitate, composed basalt rather than intermediate felsic igneous compositions characteristic upper continental crust. Aqueous alteration, on studied experimentally, indicates surficial dominated by low pH; under acidic conditions, many relationships are weathering do not apply. Aluminum Fe far more soluble mobile, Si mobility limited fluid/rock ratio iron oxidation rates sluggish. Low ratios indicted observation only most minerals (olivine, Fe-Ti oxides, phosphates, possibly pyroxene) be widely involved surface alteration with little evidence for involvement relatively insoluble plagioclase. An intriguing result, both global-scale orbital detailed spectroscopy, geochemistry obtained rovers, evaporitic processes, leading wide variety Ca-, Mg- Fe-bearing sulfates rocks, profiles, soils, been common throughout Martian geological history. Investigations Spirit Opportunity demonstrate classical stratigraphy sedimentology can accomplished using remote techniques.