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2002 Annual Science Report

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Reporting  |  JUL 2001 – JUN 2002

Impact Frustration and Subsequent Generation of Biologically Tenable Climates on Earth and Mars

4 Institutions
3 Teams
0 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites

Project Progress

1. During the last year we have completed analyses of experiments on the effects of shock compression on calcite (CaCO3), the principal mineral that contains CO2 in planetary crusts. We experimentally defined the shock pressure range (18-54 GPa) over which calcite is vaporized via impact. We also measured the radiative temperatures of shock in this mineral. These data closely define the shock-induced entropy production that controls the vaporization threshold for this mineral.

2. Wehave defined the vaporization interval for some 30 different crustal minerals, a number of which contain planetary volatiles. Our recent work on H2O ice vaporization and its effect on impact cratering demonstrate that much lower shock pressures are required for vaporization of ice than previously inferred. This work leads to a detailed model of rampart crater formation and an estimate that the 2-5 km deep Mars regolith contains 10 to 30% (volume) ice, in good agreement with the recent Odyssey Mission data (which reported data for the water content of the upper ~1 m of Mars).

3. We have recently obtained new speciation data for the shock-induced vaporization of CaSO4, which surprisingly indicate that Ca+, and not CaO+, is present.

Project Goals for Next Year

- Conduct detailed studies of the effect of the atmospheres on impact cratering on Mars. – Conduct further speciation of impact vapor studies for minerals. – Conduct initial shock devolatilization studies of amphiboles and supply these to Mars.

  • PROJECT INVESTIGATORS:
  • PROJECT MEMBERS:
    Thomas Ahrens
    Co-Investigator

    Satish Gupta
    Collaborator

    Laurie Leshin
    Collaborator

    Michelle Minitti
    Collaborator

    Sarah Stewart-Mukhopadhyay
    Collaborator

    John O'Keefe
    Research Staff

    Andy Shen
    Research Staff

  • RELATED OBJECTIVES:
    Objective 5.0
    Describe the sequences of causes and effects associated with the development of Earth's early biosphere and the global environment.

    Objective 8.0
    Search for evidence of ancient climates, extinct life and potential habitats for extant life on Mars.

    Objective 11.0
    Determine (theoretically and empirically) the ultimate outcome of the planet-forming process around other stars, especially the habitable ones.