Mineralogy of Vera Rubin Ridge From the Mars Science Laboratory CheMin Instrument

Abstract

The Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover performed an extensive campaign on Vera Rubin Ridge (VRR) to determine the geologic history of the ridge. Mineralogical data collected by the CheMin instrument of four rock samples drilled on and below the ridge demonstrate changes in the mineralogy and provide clues about the aqueous history of VRR. Red hematite is common across the ridge, but detection of gray hematite in one sample indicates the presence of localized coarse‐grained hematite, which commonly forms under warm temperatures. Minerals that form in acidic, saline solutions were found in two samples, indicating localized alteration in acidic and relatively salty waters. We hypothesize that multiple episodes of groundwater with variable pH, salinity, and temperature altered the sediments after they lithified.