Using Rover-analogous Methodology to Discriminate between Volcanic and Sedimentary Origins in Successions Dominated by Igneous Composition

Abstract

We tested rover science operations strategies to determine best practices for interrogating geologic sections where the bulk composition is igneous but depositional/emplacement processes range from sedimentary to volcanic. This scenario may mirror locations on Mars interrogated by mobile vehicles (e.g., Perseverance rover in Jezero crater). Two field teams studied a 60 m vertical outcrop on Iceland’s Tjörnes peninsula as an analog for a Martian site containing interleaved layers of sedimentary and volcanic units. A Rover team commanded a human rover to execute observations based on common Mars rover sequences; the resulting data were used to characterize the geologic history of the location. Results were compared to that of a Tiger team using traditional terrestrial field methods to interrogate the same site. The goal was to understand which instruments, at what resolution, are required to assess the provenance of volcanic or sedimentary layers of similar chemical composition. Results suggest that, in a succession dominated by rocks having basaltic composition, current rover-driven decision-making protocols are sufficient to support a first-order interpretation of a sequence of sedimentary and volcanic layers. Two crucial data sets in maximizing science return in this scenario are (1) handlens-scale images revealing grain morphology and relationships and (2) data sets that allow comparison between surface and bulk geochemistry. Certain sedimentary features can be difficult to confidently identify if not viewed at a specific angle and resolution, and confident interpretations appear to require lateral scanning of beds at meter scales. This work illuminates the need for strategic planning, particularly of resource-intensive observations.