Geologic and Thermal Characterization of Oxia Planum Using Mars Odyssey THEMIS Data

Abstract

is a region on Mars located southeast of Chryse Planitia and west of Arabia Terra, at the transitional boundary between the cratered highlands and lowland plains. It lies between two of the largest channel features on Mars, Ares Vallis, and Mawrth Vallis (Figures 1a and 1b). Previous studies that examined the crater size frequency distribution across the region suggest a crater retention age between 3.7 and 3.9 Ga, near the late Noachian/early Hesperian boundary (Tanaka et al. 2014). Previous geomorphological assessments noted fans and channel deposits that indicate evidence of past aqueous activity (Molina et al., 2017). Mineralogical studies done on this region have been conducted using shortwave infrared (SWIR, 1.0-2.6 μm) spectral data from the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité (OMEGA)

A CaSSIS and HiRISE map of the Clay-bearing Unit at the ExoMars 2022 landing site in Oxia Planum

“…One of these, the Dark Resistant Unit (DRU), consists of several large exposures across the landing site (total area of those shown in Fig. 1 being ~740 km 2 ) and originated either in the early Hesperian (Gary-Bicas and Rogers, 2021) or in the early Amazonian (Quantin-Nataf et al, 2021). Another, the smooth Dark Mantling Unit (DMU, example Fig.…”

Mounds in Oxia Planum: The Burial and Exhumation of the ExoMars Rover Landing Site

“…The DRU is a dark‐toned, rugged unit which occurs throughout the Oxia Planum study area in topographic lows, and as remnant, upstanding mesas. There is no consensus on the origin of the DRU, with both sedimentary and igneous origins proposed (Gary‐Bicas & Rogers, 2021; Quantin‐Nataf et al., 2021). Its age is also debated; one estimate is early to mid‐Amazonian or older (>2.6 Ga, Quantin‐Nataf et al., 2021), and others estimate Early Hesperian (∼3.7 Ga, Ivanov et al., 2020; Uthus, 2020).…”

Resolving the History of Life on Earth by Seeking Life As We Know It on Mars

“…Because accessible exposure ages may still be large, drilling, including, in future missions, below the 1–2 m penetration depth of space radiation, remains critical for accessing undegraded samples. Notably, the ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover includes a drill capable of reaching 2 m; its planned landing site, Oxia Planum, offers another opportunity to seek evidence of cyanosulfidic chemistry, with rocks dating from 3.6–4.0 Ga and evidence of past aqueous activity (Gary-Bicas and Rogers, 2021 ; Quantin-Nataf et al, 2021 ).…”