Journal of Maps (Nov 2018)

Geology of Aeolis Dorsa alluvial sedimentary basin, Mars

  • Ilaria Di Pietro,
  • Gian Gabriele Ori,
  • Monica Pondrelli,
  • Francesco Salese

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2018.1454350
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 212 – 218

Abstract

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Aeolis Dorsa is a topographic depression, ∼800 km east of Gale Crater, located along the Mars’ dichotomy boundary. This area hosts a set of fluvial sedimentary rocks displaying an exceptional record of depositional environments and fluvial channels patterns that suggest the presence of a large amount of surface and/or subsurface water. We interpreted the plain as an ancient waterlogged environment, a sedimentary basin passing into distal depositional environments. Regional mapping of the area revealed the presence of a large-scale fluvial system that points to a long-term and extensive hydrological cycle. A significant wet period with changing environmental conditions in Hesperian/Amazonian occurred in the study area diverging from the present-day climate. Our map (Main Map) contributes to the understanding of past climatic conditions on Mars. Moreover, it provides an interesting perspective for future missions looking for evidence of present-day and/or past extraterrestrial organisms as the life as we know it needs liquid water.

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