Photo credit: science.nasa.gov

Exploring Witch Hazel Hill: Perseverance’s Latest Findings

NASA’s Perseverance rover continues its mission on Mars, actively investigating the geological features of lower Witch Hazel Hill, situated at the Jezero crater rim. This area reveals an intriguing outcrop with alternating layers of light and dark material, prompting the scientific team to delve deeper into the composition and interrelationships of these varying layers. Recent explorations have focused on sampling the light-toned layers, specifically at a site dubbed “Main River,” where small rock fragments, or clasts, were identified.

As the team progresses, they have noted a distinctive difference in the composition of the dark layers, which appear to contain larger clasts. This observation raises questions about the geological processes at play, particularly regarding the formation of these layered rocks and the presence of spherules—small, round formations that could provide valuable insights into their origins.

In an initial effort to gather more data, the Perseverance rover performed an abrasion analysis at “Puncheon Rock,” targeting a dark layer in that vicinity. Following this, the rover moved to “Wreck Apple,” located near “Sally’s Cove,” but unfortunately could not find an appropriate surface for further abrasion. In search of better sampling opportunities, the team directed the rover southward to “Port Anson.”

Port Anson was particularly noteworthy, as orbital imagery suggested a clear division between the light layers of Witch Hazel Hill and a different geological unit underneath. While the rocks examined beneath this contact showcased intriguing compositional variations compared to those above, they did not align with the coarser-grained rock types the team was eager to investigate. Nonetheless, an abrasion was conducted at Strong Island in this area before the rover returned northward for additional exploration.

Next, the team set its sights on “Pine Pond,” adjacent to “Dennis Pond,” with plans to conduct abrasion analysis at the site known as “Hare Bay.” As new data from this recent investigation arrives, the team is poised to analyze whether they have successfully collected samples of the coarser-grained rocks and spherules. These findings may confirm patterns established in previous explorations or reveal entirely new characteristics. Stay updated as we await the outcome of this exciting scientific endeavor!

Source
science.nasa.gov