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Infrared Spectral Evidence for K‐Metasomatism of Volcanic Rocks on Mars
Author(s) -
Michalski Joseph R.,
Niles Paul B.,
Glotch Timothy D.,
Cuadros Javier
Publication year - 2021
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 - 10.1029/2021gl093882
Subject(s) - metasomatism , geology , geochemistry , mars exploration program , feldspar , volcanic rock , illite , muscovite , crust , astrobiology , quartz , volcano , mantle (geology) , clay minerals , paleontology , physics
Potassium metasomatism is a common geologic process occurring in a range of environments on Earth. K‐metasomatism can dramatically change the chemistry of large volumes of crust resulting in formation of abundant K‐rich feldspar while preserving original rock textures. Remote sensing of Mars has revealed the presence of rare but striking felspar‐rich terrains as well as K‐rich phyllosilicates such as illite or muscovite. Furthermore, the Curiosity Rover has detected evidence for K‐enrichment in rocks at Gale Crater. In this study, we use spectroscopic and remote sensing analyses of K‐metasomatized rocks on Earth as a comparison to K‐rich and/or possible granitic rocks on Mars. The results suggest that evidence for K‐feldspar rich, quartz‐bearing, and illite‐bearing rocks on Mars is consistent with K‐metasomatism. K‐rich rocks in Gale Crater have themselves likely not been metasomatized, but the abundant feldspar within them might have been derived from metasomatized crust.