Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Chemical Composition of Rocks and Soils at the Pathfinder Site

  • Published:
Space Science Reviews Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As Viking Landers did not measure rock compositions, Pathfinder (PF) data are the first in this respect. This review gives no proof yet whether the PF rocks are igneous or sedimentary, but for petrogenetic reasons they could be igneous. We suggest a model in which Mars is covered by about 50% basaltic and 50% andesitic igneous rocks. The soils are a mixture of the two with addition of Mg-sulfate and -chloride plus iron compounds possibly derived from the hematite deposits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ariskin, A., and Barmina, G.: 1999, 'An Empirical Model for the Calculation of Spinel-melt Equilibria in Mafic Igneous Systems at Atmospheric Pressure:2. Fe-Ti Oxides', Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 134, 251-263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ariskin, A.A., Frenkel, M.Y., Barmina, G.S., and Nielsen, R.L.: 1993, 'Comagmat: A FORTRAN Program to Model Magma Differentiation Processes', Comput. Geosci. 19, 1155-1170.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bandfield, J.L., Hamilton, V.E., and Christensen, P.R.: 2000, 'A Global View of Martian Surface Compositions from MGS-TES', Science 287, 1626-1630.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banin, A., Clark, B.C., and Wänke, H.: 1992, 'Surface Chemistry and Mineralogy', in H.H. Kieffer et al. (eds.), Mars, Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, pp. 594-625.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J.F., III, et al.: 2000, 'Mineralogic and Compositional Properties of Martian Soil and Dust: Results from Mars Pathfinder', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 1721-1755.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bogard, D.D., and Johnson, P.: 1983, 'Martian Gases in an Antarctic Meteorite', Science 221, 651-654.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brückner, J., Dreibus, G., Lugmair, G.W., Rieder, R., Wänke, H., and Economou, T.: 1999, 'Chemical Composition of the Martian Surface as Derived from Pathfinder, Viking, and Martian Meteorite Data', Proc. 30 th Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf., LPI, Houston, abstract #1250 (CD-ROM).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brückner, J., Dreibus, G., Rieder, R., and Wänke, H.: 2001, 'Revised Data of APXS Analyses of Soils and Rocks at the Pathfinder Site', in preparation.

  • Christensen, P.R., et al.: 2000, 'Detection of Crystalline Hematite Mineralization on Mars by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer:E vidence for Near-surfaceWater', J. Geophys. Res. 105, 9623-9642.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, B.C., Baird, A.K., Weldon, R.J., Tsusaki, D.M., Schnabel, L., and Candelaria, M.P.: 1982, 'Chemical Composition of Martian Fines', J. Geophys. Res. 87, 10,059-10,067.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, B.C.: 1999, 'On the Non-observability of Carbonates on Mars', 5 th Int. Conf. on Mars, LPI Contrib. 972, LPI, Houston, abstract #6214 (CD-ROM).

    Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, A.J., Falloon, T.J., and Green, D.H.: 1989, 'Classification, Petrogenesis and Tectonic Setting of Boninites', in A.J. Crawford (ed.), Boninites and Related Rocks, Unwin and Hyman, pp. 1-49.

  • Dreibus, G., and Wänke, H.: 1987, 'Volatiles on Earth and Mars: A Comparison', Icarus 71, 225-240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dreibus, G., Ryabchikov, I., Rieder, R., Economou, T., Brückner, J., McSween, M.Y., Jr., and Wänke, H.: 1998, 'Relationship Between Rocks and Soil at the Pathfinder Landing Site and the Martian Meteorites', Proc. 29 th Lunar Planet. Sci., LPI, Houston, abstract #1348 (CD-ROM).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghiorso, M.S., and Sack, R.S.: 1995, 'Chemical Mass Transfer in Magmatic Processes, IV. A Revised and Internally Consistent Thermodynamic Model for the Interpolation and Extrapolation of Liquid-solid Equilibria in Magmatic Systems at Elevated Temperatures and Pressures', Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 119, 197-202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golombek, M.P., et al.: 1999, 'Overview of the Mars Pathfinder Mission: Launch through Landing, Surface Operations, Data Sets, and Science Results', J. Geophys. Res. 104, 8523-8553.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haggerty, S.E.: 1978, 'The Redox State of Planetary Basalts', Geophys. Res. Lett. 5, 443-446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Le Bas, M.J., Le Maitre, R.W., Streckeisen, A., and Zanettin, B.: 1986, 'A Chemical Classification of Volcanic Rocks Based on the Total Alkali-silica Diagram', J. Petrol. 27, 745-750.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLennan, S.M.: 2000, 'Chemical Composition of Martian Soil and Rocks: Complex Mixing and Sedimentary Transport', Geophys. Res. Lett. 27, 1335-1338.

    Google Scholar 

  • McSween, H.Y., Jr.: 1994, 'What we Have Learned About Mars from SNC Meteorites', Meteoritics 29, 757-779.

    Google Scholar 

  • McSween, H.Y., Jr., et al.: 1999, 'Chemical, Multispectral, and Textural Constraints on the Composition and Origin of Rocks at the Mars Pathfinder Landing Site', J. Geophys. Res. 104, 8679-8715.

    Google Scholar 

  • McSween, H.Y., Jr., and Keil, K.: 2000, 'Mixing Relationships in the Martian Regolith and the Composition of Globally Homogeneous Dust', Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 64, 2155-2166.

    Google Scholar 

  • Palme, H., Suess, H.E., and Zeh, H.D.: 1981, 'Abundances of the Elements in the Solar System', in K. Schaifers and H.H. Voigt (eds.), Landoldt-Börnstein 2, Springer, Berlin, pp. 257-273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Philpotts, A.R.: 1982, 'Compositions of Immiscible Liquids in Volcanic Rocks', Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 80, 201-218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieder, R., Wänke, H., Economou, T., and Turkevich, A.: 1997a, 'Determination of the Chemical Composition of Martian Soil and Rocks:The Alpha Proton X-Ray Spectrometer', J. Geophys. Res. 102, 4027-4044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rieder, R., Economou, T., Wänke, H., Turkevich, A., Crisp, J., Brückner, J., Dreibus, G., McSween, H.Y., Jr.: 1997b, 'The Chemical Composition of Martian Soil and Rocks Returned by the Mobile Alpha Proton X-ray Spectrometer:Preliminary Results from the X-ray Mode', Science 278, 1771-1774.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roedder, E.: 1951, 'Low Temperature Liquid Immiscibility in the System K2O-FeO-Al2O3-SiO2', Am. Mineral. 36, 282-286.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roedder, E.: 1992, 'Fluid Inclusion Evidence for Immiscibility in Magmatic Differentiation', Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56, 5-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roedder, E., and Weiblein, P.W.: 1970, 'Lunar Petrology of Silicate Melt Inclusions, Apollo 11 Rocks', Proc. Apollo 11 Lunar Sci. Conf., Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, Suppl. 1, 801-837.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryabchikov, I.D., Solovova, I.P., Babansky, A.D., and Borsuk, A.M.: 1985, 'Origin and Differentiation Conditions of Strongly Reduced Andesitic Magmas', IZV. AN SSSR, ser. Geol. 10 (in Russian).

  • Ryabchikov, I.D., and Wänke, H.: 1996, 'Magma Generation in Martian Mantle', Geochemistry International 34, 621-627.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolper, E., and McSween, H.Y., Jr.: 1979, 'Petrology and Origin of the Shergottite Meteorites', Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 43, 1475-1498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Surkov, Yu.A., Barsukov, V.L., Moskaleva, L.P., Kharyukova, V.P., Zaitseva, S.Ye., Smirnov, G.G., and Manvelyan, O.S.: 1989, 'Determination of the Elemental Composition of Martian Rocks from Phobos 2', Nature 341, 595-598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, D., Stolper, E.M., and Hays, J.F.: 1979, 'Basaltic Volcanism: The Importance of Planet Size', Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta, Suppl. 11, 1995-2015.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wänke, H., and Dreibus, G.: 1988, 'Chemical Composition and Accretion History of Terrestrial Planets', Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A325, 545-557.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wänke, H., and Dreibus, G.: 1994, 'Chemistry and Accretion History of Mars', Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. A349, 295-293.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institut für Chemie, Becher-Weg 27, D-55128, Mainz, Germany

    H. Wänke, J. Brückner, G. Dreibus & R. Rieder

  2. IGEM, Russian Academy of Sciences, 35 Staromonetny, Moscow, 109017, Russia

    I. Ryabchikov

Authors
  1. H. Wänke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Brückner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. G. Dreibus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Rieder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. I. Ryabchikov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wänke, H., Brückner, J., Dreibus, G. et al. Chemical Composition of Rocks and Soils at the Pathfinder Site. Space Science Reviews 96, 317–330 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011961725645

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011961725645

Keywords

Search

Navigation