--> Abstract: Utilizing Earth-Based Resource Exploration Approaches from Mars, by Danielle Y. Wyrick, David A. Ferrill, Alan P. Morris, and Kevin J. Smart; #90078 (2008)

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Utilizing Earth-Based Resource Exploration Approaches from Mars

Danielle Y. Wyrick, David A. Ferrill, Alan P. Morris, and Kevin J. Smart
Dept. of Earth, Material, and Planetary Sciences, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX

Water is the most important Martian exploration target - key to finding evidence of past life and providing a crucial resource for future exploration. It has been estimated that ~90% of the global inventory of water on Mars resides in the subsurface. Existing research has addressed potential source areas, but analyses that characterize migration in the subsurface and describe the present distribution of water are lacking. Locating potential subsurface accumulations has relied primarily on global scale theoretical modeling, geomorphology, and analysis of ground ice stability. Variations in stratigraphy and structure that may strongly influence local distribution have not been considered. Depth to water or ice on Mars is thought to be controlled primarily by latitude and elevation, however, as on Earth, the distribution of outflow channels clearly indicates that structural, stratigraphic, and geomorphic features all play important roles in determining past and present distribution of water and ice on Mars.

Resource exploration on Earth is a multi-billion dollar industry with highly sophisticated and constantly improving exploration technologies. The primary issues for identification and characterization of water or hydrocarbon resource accumulations can be summarized by three factors: trap, reservoir and charge. This presentation focuses on fundamental elements believed to control trap, reservoir, and charge with respect to the identification of locations for extractable resources on Mars (primarily water and ice, but also gas hydrates). This resource exploration approach will provide guidance for future research and exploration activities, including fluid and gas movement in the subsurface and potential habitat sites for past or current life on Mars.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas