Things Are Not Always as They Seem: Detangling Intersecting Planar and Curvi-Planar Veins and Fractures From Primary Bedding in the Vera Rubin Ridge Member, Murray Formation, Mars

Fedo, Christopher M.; Grotzinger, J. P.; Schieber, Jüergen; Gupta, Sanjeev; House, Christopher H.; Edgett, K. S.; Siebach, K. L.; Fraeman, A. A.; Edgar, L. A.; Kronyak, R. E.; Kah, L. C.; Gwizd, Samantha; Vasavada, A. R.

doi:10.1130/abs/2018se-312748

Cited by 4 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…The Murray formation is a succession of sedimentary rocks that consist predominantly of mudstones that are interpreted to have been deposited in a lake or marginal lake setting (e.g., Fedo et al, 2018Fedo et al, , 2019Grotzinger et al, 2015;Rivera-Hernández et al, 2019, 2020Stack et al, 2019). The lowest exposed stratigraphic member of the Murray formation is the Pahrump Hills member (Figure 2), which is defined by millimeter-to centimeter-scale laminated mudstone to very fine sandstone, with decimeter-to meter-scale scour-and-drape structures.…”

Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Blunts Point member is a mudstone with extensive planar lamination. Outcrops are crosscut by abundant fine fractures and curvi‐planar calcium sulfate veins, which commonly obscure primary sedimentary structures (Fedo et al, , ). The Blunts Point member indicates that the Sutton Island member did not represent the final drying out of the lake, but instead, the environment shifted back into a stable lacustrine setting (Rivera‐Hernández et al, ).…”

Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While not defined by diagenetic features, this member is notably crosscut by abundant calcium sulfate veins that stick out in positive relief compared to the more recessive background sediment. These veins show a variety of orientations, including both high‐angle and bedding‐parallel veins (Fedo et al, ). Blunts Point is dominated by Facies 1.…”

Section: Stratigraphic Membersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…VRR is a thick succession of lacustrine deposits that encountered variable diagenetic episodes. Evidence for diagenesis is manifested through notable red and gray color variations that cut across primary stratification (Fraeman et al, ; Horgan et al, ), millimeter‐ to centimeter‐scale features such as crystal pseudomorphs, nodules, and dark, diagenetic features (Bennett et al, ; L'Haridon et al, ), and abundant fractures containing calcium sulfate veins of variable orientation (Fedo et al, ). Details of the diagenetic history revealed from MAHLI images are summarized by Bennett et al () and include the following episodes: (1) early diagenesis including lithification of parts of the Jura member and precipitation of crystals, (2) dissolution and replacement of original crystals, (3) precipitation of nodules, and (4) development of various generations of calcium sulfate veins.…”

Section: Diagenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover

et al. 2020

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For ~500 Martian solar days (sols), the Mars Science Laboratory team explored Vera Rubin ridge (VRR), a topographic feature on the northwest slope of Aeolis Mons. Here we review the sedimentary facies and stratigraphy observed during sols 1,800–2,300, covering more than 100 m of stratigraphic thickness. Curiosity's traverse includes two transects across the ridge, which enables investigation of lateral variability over a distance of ~300 m. Three informally named stratigraphic members of the Murray formation are described: Blunts Point, Pettegrove Point, and Jura, with the latter two exposed on VRR. The Blunts Point member, exposed just below the ridge, is characterized by a recessive, fine‐grained facies that exhibits extensive planar lamination and is crosscut by abundant curvi‐planar veins. The Pettegrove Point member is more resistant, fine‐grained, thinly planar laminated, and contains a higher abundance of diagenetic concretions. Conformable above the Pettegrove Point member is the Jura member, which is also fine‐grained and parallel stratified, but is marked by a distinct step in topography, which coincides with localized meter‐scale inclined strata, a thinly and thickly laminated facies, and occasional crystal molds. All members record low‐energy lacustrine deposition, consistent with prior observations of the Murray formation. Uncommon outcrops of low‐angle stratification suggest possible subaqueous currents, and steeply inclined beds may be the result of slumping. Collectively, the rocks exposed at VRR provide additional evidence for a long‐lived lacustrine environment (in excess of 106 years via comparison to terrestrial records of sedimentation), which extends our understanding of the duration of habitable conditions in Gale crater.

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Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geologic Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Stratigraphic Membersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Diagenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover

et al. 2020

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“…The Murray formation is a succession of sedimentary rocks that consist 150 predominantly of mudstones that are interpreted to have been deposited in a lake or marginal 151 lake setting (e.g., Fedo et al, 2018. The lowest stratigraphic member of the Murray 152 7 formation is the Pahrump Hills member (Figure 2), which is defined by mm-to cm-scale 153 laminated mudstone to very fine sandstone, with scour-and-drape structures.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A lacustrine paleoenvironment recorded at Vera Rubin ridge, Gale crater: Overview of the sedimentology and stratigraphy observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover

Edgar

Fedo

Gupta

et al. 2019

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147

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Evolution of a Lake Margin Recorded in the Sutton Island Member of the Murray Formation, Gale Crater, Mars

Gwizd,

Fedo,

Grotzinger

et al. 2024

JGR Planets

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This study uses data from the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover to document the facies of the Sutton Island member of the Murray formation, interpret paleoenvironments, and establish key stratigraphic transitions at Gale crater. Two facies associations were identified: Facies Association 1 (FA1) and Facies Association 2 (FA2). Individual facies in FA1 include planar‐laminated mudstone with minor intervals of planar sandstone, ripple cross‐laminated sandstone, cross‐stratified sandstone, and alternating laminated sandstone and mudstone. Meter‐thick packages of planar‐laminated mudstone in FA1 are interpreted to represent deposition in low‐energy ponded environments along the lake margin. Straight‐ and curve‐crested ripple cross‐laminated facies are interpreted to represent current‐influenced deposition. Cross‐stratified sandstone facies consist of dm‐thick sets that represent deposition in distal channels. Intercalated mm‐scale mudstone and sandstone laminae represent waning flow conditions and possible channel abandonment. Facies in FA1 collectively represent deposition in a distal delta plain. FA2 is comprised of planar‐laminated mudstone with minor sandstone and is interpreted to represent deposition in a lacustrine‐basin setting by suspension settling linked to density flows. FA1 transitions upward into FA2, defining a rapid transgression substantial enough to facilitate the deposition of distal lake facies above delta plain facies. The abrupt transition from FA2 back to FA1 deltaic deposits is suggestive of forced regression. Facies in FA1 and FA2 are consistent with the prevalence of aqueous environments recorded in other Murray formation members and extend our understanding of the dynamic sedimentary processes that characterized ancient lacustrine systems at Gale crater.

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Things Are Not Always as They Seem: Detangling Intersecting Planar and Curvi-Planar Veins and Fractures From Primary Bedding in the Vera Rubin Ridge Member, Murray Formation, Mars

Cited by 4 publications

References 0 publications

A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover

A Lacustrine Paleoenvironment Recorded at Vera RubinRidge, Gale Crater: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed by the Mars ScienceLaboratory Curiosity Rover

A lacustrine paleoenvironment recorded at Vera Rubin ridge, Gale crater: Overview of the sedimentology and stratigraphy observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover

Evolution of a Lake Margin Recorded in the Sutton Island Member of the Murray Formation, Gale Crater, Mars

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