The Distribution of Clay Minerals and Their Impact on Diagenesis in Glen Torridon, Gale Crater, Mars

Glen Torridon (GT) is a recessive-trough feature on the northwestern slope of “Mt. Sharp” in Gale crater, Mars with highest Fe-/Mg-phyllosilicates abundances detected by Curiosity rover to date. Understanding origin these clay minerals and their relationship diagenetic processes critical for reconstructing nature habitability past surface subsurface environments crater. We aim constrain distribution extent diagenesis using compositional morphological trends observed visible-to-near infrared reflectance spectra GT from Mastcam ChemCam, supported high-resolution images Hand Lens Imager. Spectral features consistent nontronite fine-grained red hematite are ubiquitous throughout lower GT, strongest where limited, suggesting that both were formed early, before burial. Diagenetic increase abundance diversity farther up-section, we observe morphologic evidence multiple episodes diagenesis, edge front partially preserved middle stratigraphic member, Knockfarril Hill. Near contact between overlying Greenheugh pediment capping unit, lack signatures instead coarse-grained gray hematite, likely through late-diagenetic alteration. hypothesize sandstone-dominant Stimson formation acted as conduit fluid flow into area clay-rich impermeable slowed those fluids, leading enhanced alteration surrounding portions including within nearby Vera Rubin ridge.