Sarah R Black

United States Geological Survey | USGS · Astrogeology Science Center

At a Mars analog site in Utah, we tested two science operation methods for data acquisition and decision-making protocols: a scenario where the tactical day is preplanned, but major adjustments may still be made before plan delivery; and a scenario in which the sol path must largely be planned before a given tactical planning day and very few adjus...

We conducted a field test at a potential Mars analog site to provide insight into planning for future robotic missions such as Mars 2020, where science operations must facilitate efficient choice of biologically relevant sampling locations. We compared two data acquisition and decision-making protocols currently used by Mars Science Laboratory: (1)...

Interpretation of Martian geology relies heavily on our understanding of terrestrial analog deposits and our ability to obtain comprehensive and accurate mineralogical compositions. Many previous studies of terrestrial hydrothermal deposits relied on limited datasets and/or did not use instruments analogous to those deployed on Mars. We analyzed 10...

Hydrothermal acid-sulfate alteration is a common process in volcanic systems on Earth, and it may be inferred that this process played an important role in Mars’ geologic history as well. Several areas have been identified on Mars with minerals which are characteristic of acid-sulfate alteration: hydrated silica, sulfates, phyllosilicates, and Fe-o...

The GHOST field tests are designed to isolate and test science-driven rover operations protocols, to determine best practices. During a recent field test at a potential Mars 2020 landing site analog, we tested two Mars Science Laboratory data-acquisition and decision-making methods to assess resulting science return and sample quality: a linear met...

Initial results from temperature gradient studies at Icelandic fumarole sites

Corresponding poster for LPSC 2017 Mars analog poster session

Initial results from site characterization fieldwork

An overview of Mars investigations and the role terrestrial analog studies play in shaping our understanding of Mars’ geology

Visible-near infrared (VNIR) spectroscopy provides a wealth of compositional information, and is a valuable tool in planetary exploration. The 2016 GeoHeuristic Operational Strategies Testing (GHOST) program is a terrestrial analog rover simulation designed to refine Mars Rover operational strategies. The GHOST program utilized a TerraSpec Halo han...

Relict hydrothermal deposits on Mars are a key habitable niche and have been studied from orbiters and rovers. The alteration mineral assemblages provide constraints on the paleoenvironmental conditions (e.g., temperature, fluid chemistry, pH, redox, etc) and, thus, accurate quantification of these products is required for correct interpretations....

Relict hydrothermal deposits on Mars are a key habitable niche and have been studied from orbiters and rovers. The alteration mineral assemblages provide constraints on the paleoenvironmental conditions (e.g., temperature, fluid chemistry, pH, redox, etc) and, thus, accurate quantification of these products is required for correct interpretations....

Introduction: The eastern part of the Valles Marineris and Coprates chasma, is fundamentally important to our understanding of crustal formation and modification processes as there is more crust exposed here (>11 km) than perhaps anywhere on Mars [1, 2]. These exposures are relatively unobscured, partially due to the lack of interior layered deposi...

Investigating the identification of hydrothermal products via Mars analog instrumentation

An update on year two of mapping in Coprates Chasma

Introduction: The eastern part of the Valles Marineris and Coprates chasma, is fundamentally important to our understanding of crustal formation and modification processes as there is more crust exposed here (>11 km) than perhaps anywhere on Mars [1–3]. These exposures are relatively unobscured, partially due to the lack of interior layered deposit...

Update on mapping progress in eastern Coprates Chasma

Preliminary results of terrestrial analog fieldwork

Spectral identification of hydrothermal alteration products in Costa Rica yields further insight into early Mars and the potential for habitability.

Note: Stelmack is SRB's former married name. Name changed in authors on ResearchGate to be in publication list.

Note: Stelmack is SRB's former married name. Name changed in authors on ResearchGate to be in publication list.

The Tekoa Tuff is a Miocene-aged, volcaniclastic deposit located in the Island Hills area of the Tekoa Range in North Canterbury, New Zealand. The tuff and surrounding deposits have been previously studied, but not in depth. This study constructed eruptive and depositional histories through physical observations from the field, stratigraphic method...

To constrain the behavior of Ionian volcanic paterae in general, and Loki Patera in particular, we have used the following techniques in concert: 1) geologic mapping and analyses; 2) laboratory simulations; and 3) mathematical modeling. Here, we present preliminary results from the synthesis of these data. Loki Patera (310°W, 12°°N) is significantl...

A morphological investigation of the Ionian paterae containing islands suggests that the islands are not solidified rafts of crust.

Overview of morphological analysis done on paterae with bright ”islands”