Detailed geological mapping of the fluvial deposits in Magong crater, Xanthe Terra, Mars Article Swipe
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· 2017
· Open Access
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· OA: W2771396449
We present a detailed geological map of Magong \nCrater in Xanthe Terra, Mars. The ancient crater is \nsituated at the terminus of Sabrina Vallis and hosts \nsedimentary deposits that were transported through \nthis long and deeply incised valley. The sediments \nmay represent a delta or, alternatively, an alluvial fan. \nWeak signatures of Fe/Mg-bearing phyllosilicates \nwere detected in the central delta cliff section. A long \nand narrow, NE-trending topographic ridge is \ninterpreted as a partially exhumed dyke. Numerous \n~1 m-thick dark patches are distributed over the \nentire crater floor and may be remnants of a formerly \ncontinuous blanket of volcanic tephra or ash. The \noverall age of the aqueous sediments is dated to the \nLate Noachian/Early Hesperian epochs. This applies \nalso to the surrounding highland materials. Highresolution \nimages of the crater floor show a \nheterogeneous morphology, featuring a large variety \nof degraded craters and ejecta blankets, honeycomblike \ndepressions and polygonal fractures similar to \nmud cracks. Apart from the sedimentary deposits, the \ncrater floor is very flat and meets the geological and \ntechnical criteria for a future possible landing site.
