The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater: Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury Landing to Rocknest
Résumé
Ventifacts, rocks abraded by wind-borne particles, are found in Gale Crater, Mars. In the eastward
drive from “Bradbury Landing” to “Rocknest,” they account for about half of the float and outcrop seen by
Curiosity’s cameras. Many are faceted and exhibit abrasion textures found at a range of scales, from
submillimeter lineations to centimeter-scale facets, scallops, flutes, and grooves. The drive path geometry
in the first 100 sols of the mission emphasized the identification of abrasion facets and textures formed
by westerly flow. This upwind direction is inconsistent with predictions based on models and the orientation
of regional dunes, suggesting that these ventifact features formed from very rare high-speed winds. The
absence of active sand and evidence for deflation in the area indicates that most of the ventifacts are fossil
features experiencing little abrasion today.
Domaines
Planète et Univers [physics]
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JGR Planets - 2014 - Bridges - The rock abrasion record at Gale Crater Mars Science Laboratory results from Bradbury.pdf (17.4 Mo)
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