Ancient Noachian rocks on Mars are mapped in light gray with valley networks colored in blue tones and surface clays marked in yellow. Two locations with abundant smectite clays formed in surface environments include Mawrth Vallis (MV) and Nili Fossae (NF). The Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover is currently at Gale Crater (GC) where smectite clays have also been found.SETI, (Bishop et al. 2018. Nature Astronomy, 2. 206–213.)
Studies on clay formation on Mars have provided new clues about the planet’s early climate and potential habitability. A team of researcher developed a new climate model for Mars to help understand how clay formed on the planet’s surface. The results indicate that a cold, early Mars experienced short-term warm and wet conditions.
To read more, visit the SETI Institute at: https://seti.org/clay-formation-study-leads-to-new-model-early-martian-climate-how-warm-is-warm
The paper, “Surface clay formation during short-term warmer and wetter conditions on a largely cold ancient Mars,” was published as the cover article in Nature: Astronomy. The study was supported by the NASA Astrobiology Program through the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). Further support came from NASA’s Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP).
Further Reading:
New Studies of Clay Formation Provide Clues about Early Martian Climate (SETI)