Hard rock on Mars?

The Pancam images of "Flat Rock" which caused the RAT to stall look a
lot less crumbly than those of the prior white outcrops. Perhaps it is
actually a harder rock:

Compa

Panoramic Camera :: Sol 035 (73 images)
http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/gallery/a...nity_p035.html

to:

Panoramic Camera :: Sol 045 (89 images)
http://marsrovers.nasa.gov/gallery/a...nity_p045.html

Perhaps this can be tested by seeing how deeply the rover wheels can
grind into each of these rocks.
On Earth there is frequently statification of different types of
evaporites, with carbonates lying below sulfates. If a trench can be
ground into these rocks maybe this stratification can be observed.


Bob Clark

cf:

Space Sciences
More data, more mysteries.
Posted by Robert Clark on 3/3/2004 7:25:49 AM
http://habitablezone.com/space/messages/316769.html

Space Sciences
Huge Moomaw article on the current views of mars
Posted by Robert Clark on 12/18/2003 5:00:27 PM
http://habitablezone.com/space/messages/305743.html

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If the rocks are a sequence of evaporitic sediments then I wouldn't be too
surprised to see some variations in hardness reflecting either primary
variations in cementation and/or variable degrees of diagenetic and post
diagenetic alteration affecting the mineralogy.

Even if they are not true sediments, hydrothermal alteration can produce a
wide range of secondary minerals with varying hardness.

YMMV

pj


"Robert Clark" wrote in message
om...
The Pancam images of "Flat Rock" which caused the RAT to stall look a
lot less crumbly than those of the prior white outcrops. Perhaps it is
actually a harder rock: