Lunar and Planetary Science Conference · 2017 · 12 citations · 0 references
Natural SciencesEarth SciencesGeologyGeochemistryMineralogyStratigraphyCarbonate MineralogyGypsum MaterialsMartian GeologyMineral GeochemistrySilicate MineralsSulfate MineralsAnhydrite SedimentologyGypsum DehydrationGypsum DepositsGypsum FormationMars Rover InstrumentationMartian MineralogyMetamorphic MineralogySulfate Mineral Geochemistry
The Mars Science Laboratory rover has been exploring sedimentary rocks of the Bradbury group and overlying Murray formation, as well as the unconformably overlying Stimson formation. Early in exploration, and continuing to present, there have been observations of many Ca-sulfate veins that cut all three stratigraphic units. The CheMin XRD instrument on Curiosity provides complete mineralogy for drilled or scooped samples, with explicit identification of gypsum, bassanite, and anhydrite (crystal structure of so-called soluble anhydrite, or gamma-CaSO4, is so similar to bassanite that it can't be distinguished at CheMin 2-theta resolution; here we refer to these similar dehydrated forms simply as bassanite).