Aeolis Quadrangle - Gale Crater

Gale Crater

Gale Crater, in the northwestern part of the Aeolis quadrangle, is of special interest to geologists because it contains a 2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mile) high mound of layered sedimentary rocks. On 28 March 2012 this mound was named "Mount Sharp" by NASA in honor of Robert P. Sharp (1911–2004), a planetary scientist of early Mars missions. More recently, on 16 May 2012, Mount Sharp was officially named Aeolis Mons by the USGS and IAU. The mound extends higher than the rim of the crater, so perhaps the layering covered an area much larger than the crater. These layers are a complex record of the past. The rock layers probably took millions of years to be laid down within the crater, then more time to be eroded to make them visible. The 5 km high mound is probably the thickest single succession of sedimentary rocks on Mars. The lower formation may date from near the Noachian age, while the upper layer, separated by an erosional unconformity, may be as young as the Amazonian period. The lower formation may have formed the same time as parts of Sinus Meridiani and Mawrth Vallis. The upper layer may be similar to layers in Arabia Terra. Sulfates and Iron oxides have been detected in the lower formation and anhydrous phases in the upper layer. There is evidence that the first phase of erosion was followed by more cratering and more rock formation. Also of interest in Gale Crater is Peace Vallis, officially named by the IAU on September 26, 2012, which 'flows' down out of the Gale Crater hills to the Aeolis Palus below, and which seems to have been carved by flowing water.

• Gale Crater with Aeolis Mons rising from the center. The noted Curiosity Rover landing area is near Peace Vallis in Aeolis Palus.

• Aeolis Mons rises from the middle of Gale Crater - Green dot marks the Curiosity Rover landing site in Aeolis Palus.

• Peace Vallis and alluvial fan near the Curiosity rover landing ellipse and site (noted by +).

• Curiosity Rover landing site (green dot) - Blue dot marks Glenelg Intrigue - Blue spot marks "Base of Mount Sharp" - a planned area of study.

• Curiosity Rover landing site - "Quad Map" includes "Yellowknife" Quad 51 of Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater.

• Gale Crater Grand Canyon, as seen by HiRISE - Scale bar is 500 meters long.

• Gale Crater sediment layers may have formed by lake or windblown particle deposition.

• Aeolis Mons and Aeolis Palus in Gale Crater as viewed by the Curiosity Rover on August 6, 2012.

• Aeolis Mons may have formed from the erosion of sediment layers that once filled Gale Crater.

• Gale Crater rim about 18 km (11 mi) North of the Curiosity Rover on August 9, 2012.

• Layers at the base of Aeolis Mons - dark rock in inset is same size as the Curiosity Rover (white balanced image).

• Aeolis Mons as viewed from the Curiosity Rover (August 9, 2012) (white balanced image).

• Wheels on the Curiosity Rover - "Mount Sharp" is in the background (MAHLI, September 9, 2012).