Gypsum speleothems in lava tubes from Lanzarote (Canary Islands). Ion sources and pathways

Huerta, Pedro; Martín-Pérez, Andrea; Martín‐García, Rebeca; Rodríguez‐Berriguete, Álvaro; Fernández, Ángel La Iglesia; Alonso-Zarza, Ana María

doi:10.1016/j.sedgeo.2019.02.005

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, the amount of crystalline crusts and coralloid speleothems in the HI-SEAS lava tubes is not formed to such a large extent as in some of the other lava tubes around the world 2 , 3 , 17 – 19 . The smaller abundance of these crystalline crusts and coralloid speleothems is likely dependent on the amount of rainwater that percolated through basaltic bedrock 20 . Although, the amount of secondary minerals is more extensive in the older lava tube (~ 1880 B.P.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The crystalline gypsum crusts are generally associated with evaporation of seepage waters that infiltrate the lava tube (capillarity or drip), leaving behind crystalline patches on the cave walls 2 , 20 , 27 . The supply of the chemical compounds is likely similar to thenardite as the overhanging basalt is calcium-rich (± 10.3%; Table 1 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4 A), which could be related to gypsum balls that form typically in the deepest part of caves where there is a constant percolation of supersaturated water 27 . Studies show that the white coatings observed in the lava tubes are formed by air currents flowing through the lava tubes, which disperse and evaporate the seepage waters saturated in gypsum and silica leaving behind residual white coatings 10 , 20 . Consequently, these white coatings can act again as seeds for new secondary mineral formation 15 , 28 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Multitechnique characterization of secondary minerals near HI-SEAS, Hawaii, as Martian subsurface analogues

Mulder,

van Ruitenbeek,

Foing

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

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Secondary minerals in lava tubes on Earth provide valuable insight into subsurface processes and the preservation of biosignatures on Mars. Inside lava tubes near the Hawaii-Space Exploration and Analog Simulation (HI-SEAS) habitat on the northeast flank of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, a variety of secondary deposits with distinct morphologies were observed consisting of mainly sodium sulphate powders, gypsum crystalline crusts, and small coralloid speleothems that comprise opal and calcite layers. These secondary deposits formed as a result of hydrological processes shortly after the formation and cooling of the lava tubes and are preserved over long periods of time in relatively dry conditions. The coralloid speleothem layers are likely related to wet and dry periods in which opal and calcite precipitates in cycles. Potential biosignatures seem to have been preserved in the form of porous stromatolite-like layers within the coralloid speleothems. Similar secondary deposits and lava tubes have been observed abundantly on the Martian surface suggesting similar formation mechanisms compared to this study. The origin of secondary minerals from tholeiitic basalts together with potential evidence for microbial processes make the lava tubes near HI-SEAS a relevant analog for Martian surface and subsurface environments.

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