Evidence for a Global Martian Soil Composition Extends to Gale Crater

Introduction: The eolian bedform within Gale Crater referred to as "Rocknest" was investigated by the science instruments of the Curiosity Mars rover. Physical, chemical and mineralogical results are consistent with data collected from soils at other landing sites, suggesting a globally-similar composition. Results from the Curiosity payload from Rocknest should be considered relevant beyond a single, localized region with Gale Crater, providing key insights into planetary scale processes. Physical Characteristics: Fig. 1a shows the Curiosity wheel imprint on Rocknest, exposing darker, subsurface sand and clay-sized particles below a thin accumulation of brighter atmospheric dust, similar to the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Spirit's wheel scuff at Gusev Crater (Fig. 1b). The Rocknest wind drift is armored with roughly millimeter-sized, sub-rounded coarse sand grains, consistent with observations at both MER landing sites (Fig. 2).