The geology of Australian Mars analogue sites

Michael D. West; Jonathan D A Clarke; Matilda Thomas; Colin F. Pain; Malcolm R. Walter

doi:10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.012

The geology of Australian Mars analogue sites

Michael D. West^*, Jonathan D A Clarke, Matilda Thomas, Colin F. Pain, Malcolm R. Walter

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Australia has numerous landforms and features, some unique, that provide a useful reference for interpreting the results of spacecraft orbiting Mars and exploring the martian surface. Examples of desert landforms, impact structures, relief inversion, long-term landscape evolution and hydrothermal systems that are relevant to Mars are outlined and the relevant literature reviewed. The Mars analogue value of Australia's acid lakes, hypersaline embayments and mound spring complexes is highlighted along with the Pilbara region, where the oldest convincing evidence of life guides exploration for early life on Mars. The distinctive characteristics of the Arkaroola Mars Analogue Region are also assessed and opportunities for future work in Australia are outlined.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	447-458
Number of pages	12
Journal	Planetary and Space Science
Volume	58
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.012
Publication status	Published - Mar 2010
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Acid lakes
Arkaroola
Australia
Deserts
Mars analogues
Pilbara
Relief inversion
Springs
Stromatolites

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10.1016/j.pss.2009.06.012

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title = "The geology of Australian Mars analogue sites",

abstract = "Australia has numerous landforms and features, some unique, that provide a useful reference for interpreting the results of spacecraft orbiting Mars and exploring the martian surface. Examples of desert landforms, impact structures, relief inversion, long-term landscape evolution and hydrothermal systems that are relevant to Mars are outlined and the relevant literature reviewed. The Mars analogue value of Australia's acid lakes, hypersaline embayments and mound spring complexes is highlighted along with the Pilbara region, where the oldest convincing evidence of life guides exploration for early life on Mars. The distinctive characteristics of the Arkaroola Mars Analogue Region are also assessed and opportunities for future work in Australia are outlined.",

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