Earth & Planetary Sciences Seminar - Dr. Marjorie A. Chan "Red Rocks from Earth to Mars: Stories of science, crime, art"

Abstract: Mars is an exciting frontier, with opportunities to discover what might exist within its sedimentary layers and surface landforms. Comparative studies of red rocks on Earth have provided important clues for interpreting the geology on Mars. Small terrestrial concretions (cemented mineral masses) compared with “blueberries” found on the red planet, helped scientists understand past waters on Mars. Other terrestrial examples of soft-sediment deformation and weathering show remarkable similarities to recent satellite and rover imagery from Mars. Studies of sedimentary context on Earth are critical because terrestrial analogs help us interpret depositional and diagenetic processes, as well as determine where habitable environments for life might exist.

In addition, learn how the crime “Case of the Missing Marbles” involving red rock concretions was resolved, and how an art installation of concretions gives a different perspective on our geoheritage.

Speaker Bio: Distinguished Professor of Geology, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Utah. Chan has led an active nationally and internationally recognized research program emphasizing sedimentary geology and terrestrial analogs to Mars. Her research extends from sedimentology and diagenesis to geoconservation, geoheritage, and ethics.