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Positive identification of lake strandlines in Shalbatana Vallis, Mars
Author(s) -
Di Achille Gaetano,
Hynek Brian M.,
Searls Mindi L.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2009gl038854
Subject(s) - mars exploration program , subaerial , martian , geology , hesperian , martian surface , paleontology , sedimentary rock , delta , astrobiology , physics , aerospace engineering , engineering
Remote sensing studies of possible Martian paleolakes have hinted at the presence of paleoshorelines on Mars, although have never been unequivocally identified. Recently‐acquired sub‐meter scale High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) images of Shalbatana Vallis reveal the first direct evidence of strandlines along a delta formed within an intravalley lake during the Hesperian epoch (3.4 Ga). HiRISE images show where water from a 57‐km‐long valley built a delta, flowed over its subaerial plain, and finally debouched into a more than 450‐m‐deep lake, forming chutes in the subaqueous part of the deposit. At present, the studied system contains some of the most pristine, distinctive, and recent lacustrine evidence among all the candidate Martian paleolakes. The associated sedimentary deposits provide a valuable target for future in‐situ analyses aimed at the characterization of the hydrology, climate, and biological potential of ancient Mars.