Hydrous clay minerals in the west of Mawrth Vallis
Hydrous clay minerals in the west of Mawrth Vallis
Light and dark coloured deposits are found in and around the Mawrth Vallis outflow. The light-coloured materials in particular are an indication of the previous presence of water. On Earth, such clay minerals are often formed as a weathering product of volcanic rocks that come into contact with water over long periods of time and are thus transformed. The region is considered one of the most promising locations to search for fossil or even present-day life on the Red Planet but has not yet been selected as the landing site for a mission due to its difficult terrain.
