Depositional and Diagenetic Processes of Martian Lacustrine Sediments as Revealed at Pahrump Hills by the Mars Hand Lens Imager, Gale Crater, Mars

The Murray formation represents fine-grained sedimentary deposition in lacustrine environments within Gale crater, Mars. Both the overall thickness of and its broad uniformity character suggest potential for a long-lived, groundwater-supported lake system. Rock textures were imaged by Mars Hand Lens Imager camera at Pahrump Hills location, which lowermost formation. We analyze data from to refine earlier estimates grain size distribution, as well make detailed observations diagenetic features modification primary sedimentological features. These resulting interpretations provide look dynamic behavior systems on lower portions this exposure are characterized planar laminated, material; predominant region is smaller than that very fine sand. Diagenetic mineral precipitation also prominent these layers, evidenced likely situ lenticular crystals, preferential cementation laminae several late-diagenetic crystal clusters, secondary previously deposited crystals. upper locality coarser-grained, varicolored, contain cross-stratified variation over relatively thin stratigraphic interval indicates rapid fluctuation hydrodynamic crater lake, similar observed shallow-water regions terrestrial closed basin lakes.