Mars on Earth: A Study of the Qaidam Basin: 5 (Advances In Planetary Science)

Description

Mars has been extensively photographed by cameras and compositionally detected by spectrometers onboard orbiters on a global scale, and explored in-situ by landers and rovers at both local and outcrop scales in different locations. The results have proved that the Martian surface is rich in Earth-like geomorphologies, and the study of terrestrial analogs to Mars has been listed as one of the highest priorities of Martian science. With increasing new discoveries by in-situ explorations, Mars exploration has begun to enter the era of focusing on detailed analyses at regional to outcrop levels, rather than global mapping. Analog studies are playing a crucial role in this transition, making this book, which introduces the methodology and provides cases for readers, essentially important. Dozens of sites on Earth have been listed as analog targets for comparative study with the geomorphology, geology, geochemistry, environment and habitability of Mars. However, due to the diversity of landforms and forming mechanisms, and the long history of Mars, no single analog site on Earth can be fully compared to Mars. Nonetheless, the Qaidam Basin has been listed as an unique Mars analog site for studying the red planet's geomorphology, geology, and environmental changes, particularly regarding the evolution of paleolakes on Mars. This kind of setting has always been listed as a top priority for the search of life on Mars. This book contains first-hand information and on-site images obtained by the work's contributing authors, and is an essential read for anyone interested in Martian geomorphology and its evolution processes and history. Contents Preface About the Editor About the Contributors Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Ways to Study Mars 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Global Orbiting Survey 1.2.1 Composition 1.2.2 Geomorphology and topography 1.2.3 Interior 1.3 In Situ Exploration 1.4 Sample Return 1.5 Analog Study 1.5.1 The role of analogies 1.5.2 Terrestrial analogies in Martian geology 1.6 Martian Meteorites 1.7 Simulation 1.8 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 2 The Surface of Mars: An Overview 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Endogenic Geomorphology 2.2.1 Tectonic features 2.2.1.1 Extensional structures 2.2.1.2 Compressional structures 2.2.2 Volcanic features 2.3 Exogenic Geomorphology 2.3.1 Water-related landforms 2.3.1.1 Outflow channels 2.3.1.2 Valley networks 2.3.1.3 Paleocrater lake basins 2.3.2 Wind and aeolian landforms 2.3.2.1 Dust storm and Wind tracks 2.3.2.2 Aeolian landform Features 2.3.2.3 Yardangs and dunes 2.3.3 Ice and polar deposits 2.3.3.1 Ice distribution: Surface and subsurface 2.3.3.2 Polar deposits: Ice cap and layering deposits 2.3.3.3 Ice-sublimation formed landforms 2.3.4 Impact cratering formed landforms 2.3.5 Mass wasting 2.4 Geological History 2.5 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 3 The Qaidam Basin, NE Tibetan Plateau 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Geological Setting 3.2.1 Stratigraphy 3.2.1.1 Pre-Cenozoic Stratigraphy 3.2.1.2 Cenozoic stratigraphy 3.2.2 Structure 3.2.3 Geological history 3.3 Geographical and Geomorphological Features 3.3.1 Surrounding mountain ranges 3.2.1.1 The Kunlun Mountain range 3.3.1.2 The Altyn Mountain range 3.3.1.3 Qilian Mountain range 3.3.2 Inside the basin 3.3.3 Water system and lakes 3.3.4 Playas and polygonal landforms 3.4 Wind Erosion and Aeolian Landform 3.4.1 Macroscale wind erosion features: Yardangs 3.4.2 Meso-micro-scale wind erosional features: Ventifacts and Tafoni 3.4.2.1 Ventifacts 3.4.2.2 Tafoni 3.4.2.3 Vermiculations 3.4.3 Sand Dunes 3.5 Plants in Deserts 3.6 Climate Environment Acknowledgments References Chapter 4 Lakes 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Paleolakes on Mars 4.2.1 Classification and distribution of Martian paleolakes 4.2.2 Martian paleolake morphology 4.2.3 Mineralogy of lake deposits 4.2.4 Age of Martian paleolakes 4.2.5 Origin of Martian paleolakes 4.3 Lakes and Playas in the Qaidam Basin 4.3.1 Lakes in the Qaidam Basin 4.3.1.1 Distribution and morphology of lakes in the Qaidam Basin 4.3.2 Playas in the Qaidam Basin 4.3.2.1 Spatial and temporal distribution of dry salt playas in the basin 4.3.2.2 Mineral types of salt playas in the Qaidam Basin 4.3.2.3 Paleoclimatic characteristics of salt playas 4.4 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 5 Aeolian Landforms 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Yardangs 5.2.1 Yardangs on Mars 5.2.2 Yardangs in the Qaidam Basin 5.2.2.1 Mesa group yardangs 5.2.2.2 Long-ridge group yardangs 5.2.2.3 Saw-toothed group yardangs 5.2.2.4 Whaleback group yardangs 5.2.3 Evolution of yardangs in the Qaidam Basin 5.2.3.1 Embryonic stage 5.2.3.2 Adolescent stage 5.2.3.3 Mature stage 5.2.3.4 Receding stage 5.2.4 Control factors of yardang morphology 5.2.4.1 Lithology 5.2.4.2 Wind 5.2.4.3 Water 5.2.4.4 Other factors 5.3 Dunes 5.3.1 Dunes on Mars 5.3.1.1 Distribution of dunes on Mars 5.3.1.2 Morphology of dunes on Mars 5.3.2 Dunes in the Qaidam Basin 5.3.2.1 Transverse dunes 5.3.2.2 Barchan dune chains 5.3.2.3 Parabolic dunes 5.3.2.4 Linear dunes 5.3.2.5 Star dunes 5.4 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 6 Polygons 6.1 Introduction 6.1.1 Thermal contraction polygon 6.1.2 Desiccation (Shrinkage) crack polygon 6.1.3 Lava polygon 6.1.4 Salt polygon 6.2 Polygonal Terrains on Mars 6.2.1 Distribution of salt polygons on Mars 6.2.2 Morphology of salt polygons on Mars 6.3 Polygonal Ground in the Qaidam Basin 6.3.1 Distribution of polygons in the Qaidam Basin 6.3.2 Morphology of salt polygons in the Qaidam Basin 6.3.3 Formation and evolution of salt polygons in the Qaidam Basin 6.4 Comparison of Salt Polygons in the Qaidam Basin and on Mars 6.4.1 Morphological observations 6.4.2 Clues for depositional environments on Mars 6.5 Implications for Martian Environmental and Climatic Change 6.5.1 Implications for climate change 6.5.2 Hydrology of lacustrine/playa environments on Mars and its implications for polygons formation 6.6 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 7 Valleys 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Valleys on Mars 7.2.1 Martian valley morphology 7.2.1.1 Typical valley networks 7.2.1.2 Longitudinal valleys 7.2.1.3 Single valleys and valley segments 7.2.1.4 Valleys associated with canyons and volcanoes 7.2.2 Spatial and temporal distribution of Martian valleys 7.2.3 Origin of Martian valleys 7.3 Valleys in the Qaidam Basin 7.3.1 Distribution and morphology of valleys in the Qaidam Basin 7.3.1.1 Nalenggele river 7.3.1.2 Golmud River 7.3.1.3 Dry valleys and inverted valleys 7.3.2 Origin of valleys in the Qaidam Basin 7.4 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 8 Gullies 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Gullies on Mars 8.2.1 Global distribution of Martian gullies 8.2.2 Martian gully morphology 8.2.3 Origin of Martian gullies 8.3 Gullies in the Qaidam Basin 8.3.1 Distribution and morphology of gullies in the Qaidam Basin 8.3.2 Origin of gullies in the Qaidam Basin 8.4 Summary Acknowledgments References Chapter 9 Habitability and Astrobiological Significances 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Water on Mars 9.3 Organic Compounds Found on Mars 9.3.1 Organics in Martian meteorites 9.3.2 Organics detected by Mars missions 9.3.3 Methane in Mars atmosphere 9.4 Habitability Assessment of Mars Analog Sites 9.5 The Habitability of the Qaidam Basin 9.5.1 Microorganism studies of saline lakes and evaporative sediments in the Qaidam Basin 9.5.2 Lipids recovered from evaporites of the Qaidam Basin 9.6 The Astrobiological Implications from the Qaidam Basin 9.7 Summary Acknowledgments References Index