In situ radiometric and exposure age dating of the martian surface.
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Output type: Journal article
Author list: Farley, Malespin, Mahaffy, Grotzinger, Vasconcelos, Milliken, Malin, Edgett, Pavlov, Hurowitz, Grant, Miller, Arvidson, Beegle, Calef, Conrad, Dietrich, Eigenbrode, Gellert, Gupta, Hamilton, Hassler, Lewis, McLennan, Ming, Navarro-González, Schwenzer, Steele, Stolper, Sumner, Vaniman, Vasavada, Williford, Wimmer-Schweingruber, MSL Science Team
Publication year: 2014
Journal acronym: Science
Volume number: 343
Issue number: 6169
ISSN: 1095-9203
eISSN: 1095-9203
Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)
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Open access status: bronze
Full text URL: https://www.science.org/cms/asset/c857d970-cbb0-4b48-8cd9-d63f141e88bf/pap.pdf
Abstract
We determined radiogenic and cosmogenic noble gases in a mudstone on the floor of Gale Crater. A K-Ar age of 4.21 ± 0.35 billion years represents a mixture of detrital and authigenic components and confirms the expected antiquity of rocks comprising the crater rim. Cosmic-ray-produced (3)He, (21)Ne, and (36)Ar yield concordant surface exposure ages of 78 ± 30 million years. Surface exposure occurred mainly in the present geomorphic setting rather than during primary erosion and transport. Our observations are consistent with mudstone deposition shortly after the Gale impact or possibly in a later event of rapid erosion and deposition. The mudstone remained buried until recent exposure by wind-driven scarp retreat. Sedimentary rocks exposed by this mechanism may thus offer the best potential for organic biomarker preservation against destruction by cosmic radiation.
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