From the July 2009 Scientific American Magazine | 5 comments

Space Geology: From the Moon to Mars ( Preview )

The only scientist and field geologist ever to visit the moon offers some pointers to those who will one day visit Mars

In spite of the filtering effect of the atmosphere, impact-related geology still dominates the surface and near-surface fabric of most exposed Martian formations. The first geologists must decipher the ejecta, fractures and shock modification of rocks. Not all the rocks are impact-related, however. In many rift valleys as well as throughout other regions, layered rocks resembling sedimentary or volcanic strata dominate. The impact-generated regolith is not continuous, and many outcrops of underlying Martian bedrock formations are accessible for normal geologic examination and sampling.

Whereas the moon is dry, liquid water sculpted landforms and created new minerals on Mars. Laboratory inspection of lunar samples identified no water-bearing minerals in them, but orbital sensors and robotic analyses of Martian minerals have detected a variety of water-

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