the nain and ashin ophiolites are located in northeastern isfahan province, in western central-east iranian microplate. pillow lavas are one of the most significant cretaceous rock units. the lower partial melting degree in mantle peridotites of ashin ophiolite, and the derived melt by melting their clinopyroxene caused a more basic (basalt) and enriched nature for the ashin pillow lavas, where...

The search for once-habitable locations on Mars is increasingly focused on environments dominated by fluvial and lacustrine processes, such as those investigated by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover. The availability of liquid water coupled with the potential longevity of such systems renders these localities prime targets for the future exploration of Martian biosignatures. Fluvial-l...

Analyses of elemental abundances by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) require matrix-matched standard samples to account for the matrix effect on correction factors. This requirement makes it difficult obtain accurate results geological variable chemistry. In this study, we prepared 39 volcanic glasses foiditic, basaltic, basaltic andesitic, rhyolitic and pure SiO2 compositions, including ...

Although a direct link between the HED meteorites and the asteroid 4 Vesta is generally acknowledged, several issues continue to be actively examined that tie Vesta to early processes in the solar system. Vesta is no longer the only basaltic asteroid in the Main belt. In addition to the Vestoids of the Vesta family, the small asteroid Magnya is basaltic but appears to be unrelated to Vesta. Sim...

We report preliminary results from the Spitzer IRS (Infrared Spectrograph) observations of the V-type asteroid 956 Elisa. Elisa was observed as part of a campaign to measure the 5.2–38 micron spectra of small basaltic asteroids with the Spitzer IRS. Targets include members of the dynamical family of the unique large differentiated asteroid 4 Vesta (“Vestoids”), several outer-mainbelt basaltic a...

Phylogenetically and metabolically diverse bacterial communities have been found in association with submarine basaltic glass surfaces. The driving forces behind basalt colonization are for the most part unknown. It remains ambiguous if basalt provides ecological advantages beyond representing a substrate for surface colonization, such as supplying nutrients and/or energy. Pseudomonas stutzeri ...

A technique has been developed for measurement of the shock wave, pressure-density equation of state of molten silicates initially at temperatures of up to •--•2000 K. A 40-mm propellant gun apparatus accelerates metal flyer plates to speeds of up to 2.5 km s-i; these flyer plates are capable of driving shock waves with amplitudes of 3540 GPa (350-400 kbar) into molten silicate samples. Modific...