Allophane detection on Mars with Thermal Emission Spectrometer data and implications for regional-scale chemical weathering processes

Research Article| November 01, 2012 Allophane detection on Mars with Thermal Emission Spectrometer data and implications for regional-scale chemical weathering processes E.B. Rampe; E.B. Rampe * 1NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058, USA2Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, USA *E-mail: elizabeth.b.rampe@nasa.gov. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar M.D. Kraft; M.D. Kraft 3School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar T.G. Sharp; T.G. Sharp 3School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D.C. Golden; D.C. Golden 4Engineering and Science Contract Group–Hamilton Sundstrand, Houston, Texas 77058, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar D.W. Ming; D.W. Ming 1NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas 77058, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar P.R. Christensen P.R. Christensen 3School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2012) 40 (11): 995–998. https://doi.org/10.1130/G33215.1 Article history received: 18 Jan 2012 rev-recd: 27 Apr 2012 accepted: 02 May 2012 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation E.B. Rampe, M.D. Kraft, T.G. Sharp, D.C. Golden, D.W. Ming, P.R. Christensen; Allophane detection on Mars with Thermal Emission Spectrometer data and implications for regional-scale chemical weathering processes. Geology 2012;; 40 (11): 995–998. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G33215.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Models of Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) data suggest that poorly-crystalline weathering products allophane and aluminosilicate gel occur in several low-albedo regions of Mars. The presence of allophane in TES models indicates that the martian surface experienced low-temperature chemical weathering at low water-to-rock ratios and mildly acidic to neutral pH on regional scales. The allophane and gel may be ancient and preserved by a persistently dry martian climate. Alternatively, evidence for recent ground ice in these regions suggests that pedogenic processes causing the formation of poorly-crystalline aluminosilicates could be late Amazonian in age and may be active today. While previous models have suggested that global-scale acidic weathering has occurred on Mars for the past 3.5 billion years, the presence of allophane indicates that acidic weathering was not occurring in these low-albedo regions and that mildly acidic to neutral weathering has been an important regional-scale weathering process on the martian surface. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.