UPDATED GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE WESTERN PORTION OF AEOLIS MON, GALE CRATER

We report on finalization of 1:60,000 scale map of the western portion of Aeolis Mons, informally known as Mt. Sharp, in Gale crater. This map is intermediate in scale between large-scale (e.g., 1:5000) maps useful for rover traverse planning and small scale (1:500,000 to 1:5M) maps used to delineate geologic units over regions that extend many hundreds of km.

Here, CTX (Context Camera) images were used as the base mapping layer, supplemented by HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) images where available. Past work has demonstrated that while bedrock units can be identified form orbital facies mapping, making process-based interpretations is challenging at best (e.g., Stack et al., 2016). Nevertheless, we have focused this geologic mapping effort on better understanding the stratigraphy, geometry, and context of unconformable units on Mt. Sharp. These elements are formally included in the description of map units (DOMU) and correlation of map units (COMU), which are standard elements of a USGS (United States Geological Survey) Scientific Investigations Map. This map product is supported by NASA’s Mars Data Analysis Program, and it will be submitted to the USGS’ planetary geologic mapping program for a formal map review. Separately, we have endeavored to characterize sulfate-bearing units in both the west and eastern portions of the mound (Ettenborough et al., 2023 this conference).