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Published on: May 20, 2019
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Zircon trace element evidence for early hydrothermal activity on Mars
Jack Gillespie1,2, Aaron J Cavosie2,3, Denis Fougerouse2,4
1Institute of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland.
Science Advances
|November 22, 2024
Summary
Early Mars had liquid water, evidenced by a 4.45-billion-year-old zircon crystal. This finding provides key insights into the planet's ancient habitability and the origin of water on rocky planets.
Area of Science:
- Geoscience
- Planetary Science
- Astrobiology
Background:
- Understanding early Mars's water presence is crucial for habitability and planetary evolution.
- Martian meteorites offer insights but direct evidence of early hydrous fluids is challenging to find.
- Zircon crystals can preserve records of geological conditions over billions of years.
Purpose of the Study:
- To find direct evidence of hydrous fluids on early Mars.
- To analyze a unique zircon from the NWA7034 meteorite for signs of hydrothermal activity.
- To understand early Martian crustal processes and habitability.
Main Methods:
- Micro- to nanoscale microscopy of a zircon from the NWA7034 meteorite.
- Element distribution mapping to identify chemical zoning.
- Analysis of nanoscale magnetite inclusions.
Main Results:
- Textural and chemical indicators of hydrothermal conditions were found in the zircon.
- Sharp, alternating zoning with enrichments of Fe, Al, and Na was observed.
- Ubiquitous nanoscale magnetite inclusions suggest crystallization from exsolved hydrous fluids.
Conclusions:
- The analyzed zircon provides evidence for hydrothermal conditions on Mars ~4.45 billion years ago.
- These findings suggest a wet pre-Noachian Martian crust.
- The study offers new petrological evidence for early water on Mars.
