Geological history of southeastern Gorgonum Chaos, Mars: A story of water and wind

Gorgonum Chaos is part of the Eridania paleolake in Terra Sirenum and displays a number prominent light-toned morphological features that bear record regional climatic conditions throughout most Martian history. Based on an intergrated analysis orbital data, we mapped 1,500 km2 area southeast Chaos. Morphologic, spectroscopic, stratigraphic analyses were used to determine age composition main geological units area. We identified four major with decreasing content hydrated minerals from oldest youngest units, which completely free minerals. In study area, phyllosilicate-rich Noachian compose majority basin floor. Deposits enriched evaporites formed around Noachian/Hesperian transition erosion created inverted morphologies. Loess-like material without significant amounts was deposited until late Hesperian. The unit Amazonian layer originated volcanic activities. This succession reflects more humid ability sustain liquid water planet's surface during hyper-arid environment observe currently Mars.