Alteration at the base of the Siccar Point unconformity and further
evidence for an alkaline provenance at Gale crater: Exploration of the
Mount Sharp group, Greenheugh pediment cap rock contact with APXS
Abstract
Chemical data acquired by Curiosity’s Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer
(APXS) during examination of the contact between the upper Mount Sharp
group and overlying Stimson formation sandstones at the Greenheugh
pediment reveal compositional similarities to rocks encountered earlier
in the mission. Mount Sharp group strata encountered below the Basal
Siccar Point group unconformity at the base and top of the section,
separated by >300 m in elevation, have distinct and related
compositions. This indicates enhanced post-depositional fluid flow and
alteration focused along this contact. Sandstone targets exposed
immediately above the unconformity have basaltic compositions consistent
with previously encountered eolian Stimson formation sandstones, except
at the contact, where they show the addition of S. Resistant sandstone
outcrops above the contact have higher K, Mn and Na and lower Ni
concentrations that primarily reflect changes in provenance. They are
compositionally related to cap rock float blocks encountered as
Curiosity climbed through the Mount Sharp group, and Bradbury group
sandstone outcrops. The higher K, pediment sandstones are interpreted to
have a similar provenance to some Bradbury group sandstones, further
evidence for widespread, alkaline source rock within and/or in the
vicinity of Gale crater. The Bradbury and Siccar Point groups may both
be younger than the Mount Sharp group. Alternatively, an alkaline source
area in and around Gale crater has been eroded by both water and wind at
different times (both before and after deposition of the Mount Sharp
group), during the evolution of the crater and its infill.