A Martian analog in Kansas: Comparing Martian strata with Permian acid saline lake deposits

Research Article| May 01, 2006 A Martian analog in Kansas: Comparing Martian strata with Permian acid saline lake deposits Kathleen C. Benison Kathleen C. Benison 1Department of Geology, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48859, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Kathleen C. Benison 1Department of Geology, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan 48859, USA Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 25 Aug 2005 Revision Received: 21 Dec 2005 Accepted: 27 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (2006) 34 (5): 385–388. https://doi.org/10.1130/G22176.1 Article history Received: 25 Aug 2005 Revision Received: 21 Dec 2005 Accepted: 27 Dec 2005 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Kathleen C. Benison; A Martian analog in Kansas: Comparing Martian strata with Permian acid saline lake deposits. Geology 2006;; 34 (5): 385–388. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G22176.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract An important result of the Mars Exploration Rover's (MER) mission has been the images of sedimentary structures and diagenetic features in the Burns Formation at Meridiani Planum. Bedding, cross-bedding, ripple marks, mud cracks, displacive evaporite crystal molds, and hematite concretions are contained in these Martian strata. Together, these features are evidence of past saline groundwater and ephemeral shallow surface waters on Mars. Geochemical analyses of these Martian outcrops have established the presence of sulfates, iron oxides, and jarosite, which strongly suggests that these waters were also acidic. The same assemblage of sedimentary structures and diagenetic features is found in the salt-bearing terrestrial red sandstones and shales of the middle Permian (ca. 270 Ma) Nippewalla Group of Kansas, which were deposited in and around acid saline ephemeral lakes. These striking sedimentological and mineralogical similarities make these Permian red beds and evaporites the best-known terrestrial analog for the Martian sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.