Identification and Geological Evolution of Hydrated Minerals at Holden and Jezero Impact Craters Mars Using MRO CRISM Hyperspectral Data

Abstract

Identification of mineral components in different regions on the Mars is crucial to understand the Martian geology and environmental changes. By recognizing the Martian surface mineral, the Martian's environment condition and geological evolution can be understood. Meanwhile, it can be used for further exploration of the habitability of the Mars. The compact reconnaissance imaging spectrometer for Mars (CRISM) on the Mars reconnaissance orbiter (MRO) is the most recent hyperspectral imager that has reached the Mars in order to detecting the minerals. The spectrometer covers the wavelength from visible to near infrared along with enhanced spectral resolution, which provides the ability to map the mineralogy on Mars. In this paper, based on the spectrum matching and calculating CRISM summary product, mineral composition and geological evolution of the Jezero and Holden craters on the Mars are analyzed. These two craters were proposed as the candidates of the landing sites for the Mars 2020 mission due to their complex geological characteristics. Therefore, identification of mineral components of these two sites can not only further analyze the typical geological characteristics and evolutions of the climate of Mars, but also provide practical significance for the analysis of future landing sites on the Mars. We have detected several kinds of hydrated minerals including carbonate, hydrated silicate and hydrated sulfate in the study areas. These minerals suggested the possibility that the Holden and Jezero craters have experienced long time water-rock interactions. Also, the diversity of the minerals found in these regions indicates the aqueous activities in multiple distinct environments and the different environment changes in the study areas. For example unlike the dominating environment evolution from neutral to acidic on the Mars, the evolution around the Jezero may be from neutral to alkaline.

Keywords

Mars / CRISM / hyperspectral / identification of mineral