The rover Opportunity has investigated the rim of Endeavour Crater, a large ancient impact crater on Mars. Basaltic breccias produced by the impact form the rim deposits, with stratigraphy similar to that observed at similar-sized craters on Earth. Highly localized zinc enrichments in some breccia materials suggest hydrothermal alteration of rim deposits. Gypsum-rich veins cut sedimentary rocks adjacent to the crater rim. The gypsum was precipitated from low-temperature aqueous fluids flowing upward from the ancient materials of the rim, leading temporarily to potentially habitable conditions and providing some of the waters involved in formation of the ubiquitous sulfate-rich sandstones of the Meridiani region.
History
Publication title
Science
Volume
336
Issue
6081
Pagination
570-576
ISSN
0036-8075
Department/School
School of Information and Communication Technology
Publisher
Amer Assoc Advancement Science
Place of publication
1200 New York Ave, Nw, Washington, USA, Dc, 20005
Rights statement
Copyright 2012 American Association for the Advancement of Science