title: Olivine and pyroxene diversity in the crust of Mars.
abstract: Data from the Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces, et l'Activité (OMEGA) on the Mars Express spacecraft identify the distinct mafic, rock-forming minerals olivine, low-calcium pyroxene (LCP), and high-calcium pyroxene (HCP) on the surface of Mars. Olivine- and HCP-rich regions are found in deposits that span the age range of geologic units. However, LCP-rich regions are found only in the ancient Noachian-aged units, which suggests that melts for these deposits were derived from a mantle depleted in aluminum and calcium. Extended dark regions in the northern plains exhibit no evidence of strong mafic absorptions or absorptions due to hydrated materials.
authors.affiliation: Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA. john_mustard@brown.edu
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mustard
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Poulet
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gendrin
authors.forename: J-P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bibring
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Langevin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gondet
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mangold
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bellucci
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Altieri
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D001272:Atmosphere; D002118:Calcium; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D018535:Mars; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D018531:Spacecraft; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D013995:Time; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D058085:Iron Compounds; D017616:Magnesium Compounds; D008903:Minerals; D017640:Silicates; D014867:Water; C092478:pyroxene; C034475:olivine; D002118:Calcium