Spatial Pattern Investigation of Olivine on Mars using OMEGA and MOLA Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study at Valles Marineris and Nili Fossae

Abstract

Olivine is a mineral indicative of water activity in the mantle, and its presence can elucidate the petrological evolution and history of magmatic igneous rocks. In this work, we conducted a preliminary investigation into the characteristics and patterns of the spatial relationships between representative Martian mineral (i.e., olivine) and geomorphic features, aiming to provide geographical insights into the potential habitable environment of Mars. Specifically, an analytical framework is constructed to explore the spatial connection between hydrated minerals like olivine and topographic features regarding the relationship between environmental factors and mineral distributions. Furthermore, an analytical paradigm for responding to the spatial relationship is established. The spatial distribution pattern of olivine in Valles Marineris and Nili Fossae on Mars is depicted using kernel density analysis and bivariate spatial autocorrelation models. Based on this, the coupling relationship between olivine and environmental factors is constructed to quantify the strength of the link, and the interaction mechanism between olivine and geomorphological terrain is identified. The study results demonstrate that the distribution of olivine exhibits pronounced spatial clustering characteristics. Furthermore, the spatial distribution pattern of olivine and topographic features displays elevation differentiation characteristics. In the study region, topographic features dominate the spatial differentiation of olivine, specifically within the context of Valles Marineris. The spatial linkage strengths between the factors in the area vary considerably.