Discovery of olivine in the Nili Fssae region of Mars.
We have detected a 30,000-square-kilometer area rich in olivine in the Nili Fossae region of Mars. Nili Fossae has been interpreted as a complex of grabens and fractures related to the formation of the Isidis impact basin. We propose that post-impact faulting of this area has exposed subsurface layers rich in olivine. Linear mixture analysis of Thermal Emission Spectrometer spectra shows surface exposures of 30% olivine, where the composition of the olivine ranges from Fo30 to Fo70.
Hoefen
Todd M
TM
U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225, USA. thoefen@usgs.gov
Clark
Roger N
RN
Bandfield
Joshua L
JL
Smith
Michael D
MD
Pearl
John C
JC
Christensen
Philip R
PR