Hydration of a Clay‐Rich Unit on Mars, Comparison of Orbital Data to Rover Data

Glen Torridon (GT) is a geomorphic feature of Aeolis Mons (informally Mt. Sharp) in Gale crater, Mars, variably covered by local regolith and wind-blown basaltic sands. The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter's Compact Imaging Spectrometer for (CRISM) detected clay minerals GT, making GT target investigation the Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, Curiosity, which confirmed large abundance clays. MSL Dynamic Albedo Neutrons (DAN) instrument observed enrichments bulk subsurface (<50 cm) hydration along rover traverse compared to lower stratigraphic sections Sharp. Here, we investigate relationship between CRISM 3 µm index DAN results, taking into consideration different spatial scales effective depths these two instruments. We show that elevated one area corresponds DAN-derived hydration, while another does not correspond significantly hydration. find measured areas with good bedrock exposure or sand cover, relatively insensitive characteristics. active neutron results also stratigraphically higher section has absorption, could be due Fe- Mn-rich diagenetic features. Additionally, enriched hydrogen respect other, less clay-rich units throughout traverse, suggesting significant reservoir GT.