Evidence for Komatiite-type lavas on Mars from Phobos ISM data and other observations
Abstract
Data from the Phobos 2 Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (ISM), compiled by Mustard et al. [1993], and other observations support the existence of komatiitic lavas on Mars. Mustard et al. [1993] determined from ISM data that the composition of the low-albedo materials covering the Syrtis Major plateau originally consisted of augite-bearing basalt containing both augite and pigeonite, with no appreciable amount of olivine. This description is consistent with a komatiitic basalt. Komatiite is significant for the Earth because it contains a high amount of MgO, implying generation under unique circumstances compared to more typical basaltic compositions and may be similarly important for Mars.
- Publication:
-
Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- May 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1029/94GL01002
- Bibcode:
- 1994GeoRL..21..887R
- Keywords:
-
- Basalt;
- Geochemistry;
- Lava;
- Lunar Rocks;
- Magnesium Oxides;
- Mars (Planet);
- Mars Exploration;
- Meteoritic Composition;
- Minerals;
- Moon;
- Olivine;
- Petrology;
- Planetary Composition;
- Planetary Geology;
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Chassignites;
- Imaging Spectrometers;
- Mars Probes;
- Mars Volcanoes;
- Nakhlites;
- Shergottites;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Volcanology;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: Composition;
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets and Satellites: Volcanism;
- Mineralogy;
- Petrology;
- and Rock Chemistry: Igneous petrology;
- Radio Science: Remote sensing