High‐pressure metamorphic mineralogy of the Martian crust with implications for density and seismic profilesOPEN ACCESS 

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Julia Semprich, Justin Filiberto

Meteoritics & Planetary Science
Version of Record online:22 June 2020

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“Here, we calculate the mineralogy of the Martian lower crust and upper mantle as a function of pressure and temperature with depth using four bulk compositions (average crust, Gusev basalt, olivine‐phyric shergottite, and primitive average mantle). We then use this mineralogy to extract rock properties such as density and seismic velocities, describe their changes with varying conditions and geotherms, and make predictions for the crust–mantle boundary. Mineralogically, all compositions produce garnet, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene in varying proportions at high pressures, with differences in minor minerals (spinel, ilmenite, rutile, and/or K‐feldspar). According to our calculations, the average crust and Gusev basalt compositions have the potential to yield higher densities than the average mantle composition, particularly for thicker crusts and/or colder geotherms. Therefore, recycling of the Martian crust into the mantle could occur through the process of crustal delamination, if not kinetically inhibited. However, our results show that, depending on crustal thickness, the crust may not be easily distinguishable from the mantle in seismic properties.”

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