Formation of Tridymite and Evidence for a Hydrothermal History at Gale Crater, Mars

Mineralogical and chemical results from the Curiosity Mars rover in Gale crater are consistent with hydrothermal activity occurring after sediment deposition. Chemical similarities between tridymite-bearing regions of the Murray formation and silica-rich alteration halos crosscutting the Stimson formation suggest that the detected tridymite is authigenic. A previous model for the occurrence of tridymite suggests detrital sedimentation from silicic volcanic sources but does not account for chemical similarities with the high-silica alteration halos. Elemental chemistry and mineral phases identified by the Curiosity rover support hydrothermal activity at various temperatures along the traverse through Gale crater.