Phyllosilicate-bearing Trough Latitude/longitude: -4.72 North, 137.40 East Rationale: The phyllosilicates exposed here may be lacustrine sediments. Morphology.

Phyllosilicate-bearing Trough Latitude/longitude:-4.72 North, 137.40 East

Rationale: The phyllosilicates exposed here may be lacustrine sediments.

Morphology and Mineralogy: The strongest phyllosilicate exposure in Gale crater occurs in a trough between the light-toned ridge and the rest of the mound. The surface is smooth and appears to be indurated. Ridges in the surface may be preserved bedforms.

What will the rover specifically do here?Test the hypothesis that the phyllosilicates are lacustrine sediment and that they preserve evidence of habitability. Place the phyllosilicates in the stratigraphic sequence of the Gale mound.

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Feature of Interest

PSP_009294_1750

OlivineSmectitesSulfatesSulfates

Sulfates + Phyllosilicates

Milliken (2010) – 4th MSL Landing Site Workshop

Feature of Interest

Phyllosilicate-bearing Trough Latitude/longitude: -4.72 North, 137.40 East Rationale: The phyllosilicates exposed here may be lacustrine sediments. Morphology.

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Phyllosilicate-bearing Trough Latitude/longitude: -4.72 North, 137.40 East Rationale: The phyllosilicates exposed here may be lacustrine sediments. Morphology.