volcanically driven hydrothermal systems in post-noachian
TRANSCRIPT
Volcanically Driven Hydrothermal Systems on Post‐Noachian Mars: Hotspots of Habitability on a
Changing Planet
J.R. Skok and J.F. MustardBrown University
with B. Ehlmann, R. Milliken, S. MurchieExploring Mars Habitability
Lisbon, Portugal June 13, 2011
Detailed View of Terrestrial Volcanic Hydrothermal System
Pirajno
and Kranendonk
2005
• System driven by heat from magmatic chamber.
• Increased thermal gradient heats ground water and may
contain magmatic sourced waters.
• Dissolution of mafic minerals would create silica saturated fluids.
• Deposition of silica, sulfates, travertines and oxides occur nears vents and hot springs.
Proposed Sites of Hydrothermal Systems on Mars
Apollinaris
Mons
Lava‐Rock
interaction to
create rootless
cones. South of Elysium
HiRISE
PSP_002622_1820
Home Plate, Gusev
Crater.
Squyres
et al 2007
Syrtis Major Volcanic Complex
Syrtis
Major
Isidis
Basin
Nili
Fossae
Nili
Patera
Nili Patera Caldera
Syrtis
Major
Isidis
Basin
Nili
Fossae
Nili
Patera
30km
400 m elevation
High Silica Detection
Syrtis
Major
Isidis
Basin
Nili
Fossae
Nili
Patera
10 km
CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS
30km
Syrtis
Major
Isidis
Basin
Nili
Fossae
Nili
Patera
Nili Patera Cone
10 km
CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS
Light‐toned Deposits
10 km
CTX:P04_002427_1888_XI_08N292W THEMIS:I09472026: 9,7,5 DCS
Calibrated CRISM Spectra
10 kmFRT000010628
2.21µm
Ratioed Spectra
2.21 µm
Hawaiian Volcanic Silica
FRT000010628
2.21 µm
Position and shape of 2.21 µm are consistent with Si‐OH.
Spectral Reproduction with Super resolution CRISM Super resolution
~10m/pixel
80 pixels160 pixels FRT0001DE11
Super Resolution
FRT000010628
CRISM 18m/pixel
150m
Nili Patera Volcanic Cone
CTX‐CRISM Composite on CTX Stereo DEM 5x
Nili Patera Volcanic Cone
CTX‐CRISM Composite on CTX Stereo DEM 5x
Fan Deposit
HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895
400m
HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895
South Deposit
HiRISE:ESP_013582_1895
200m
Pirajno
and Kranendonk
2005
Review of Nili
Patera
Hydrothermal System Model
• Complex Syrtis
Major caldera indicated several eruptive
episodes. Hiesinger
and Head 2004
• Dacite
bearing flow in Nili Patera
would require
magmatic differentiation and a long lived system. Christensen et al. 2005
• Silica is deposited on the flank of the cone, in nearby mounds and in a field of deposits on
the dacitic
flows.
Nili
PateraCone
Habitability of Volcanic Hydrothermal Systems on Mars
• Hydrothermal Systems would provide high water, energy and
habitability for duration of magmatic body.
• Volcanic hot spring environments may provide habitable pathway
between deep hydrosphere / possible deep biosphere and the
surface.
• Systems would deposit silica sinter, an ideal substance for preserving
biosignatures. Farmer and Des Marais 1999
Yellowstone
Nili
Patera