Global Distribution of Serpentine on Mars

TL;DR

This study maps Mg-serpentine deposits on Mars using spectral analysis, revealing their diverse locations and suggesting widespread serpentinization activity in early Martian history, which impacts understanding of Mars's habitability.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel mapping method combining aperture factor analysis and radiance ratio validation to identify serpentine deposits across Mars.

Findings

Mg-serpentine found in diverse terrains across Mars.

Serpentinization likely more widespread than observed.

Multiple formation mechanisms inferred for serpentine distribution.

Abstract

The distribution and origin of serpentine on Mars can provide insights into the planet's aqueous history, habitability, and past climate. In this study, we used dynamic aperture factor analysis/target transformation applied to 15,760 images from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars, followed by validation with the radiance ratio method, to construct a map of Mg-serpentine deposits on Mars. Although relatively rare, Mg-serpentine was detected in diverse geomorphic settings across Noachian and Hesperian-aged terrains in the southern highlands of Mars, implying that serpentinization was active on early Mars and that multiple formation mechanisms may be needed to explain its spatial distribution. We also calculated the amount of H2 produced during the formation of the observed deposits and conclude that serpentinization was likely more widespread on Mars than indicated by the observed distribution.