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Luminescence, Martian Sediments

Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods

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Synonyms

Martian regolith

Introduction

Mars is the most Earthlike planet of the solar system and the planet most likely to have hosted life. The Martian surface exhibits abundant evidence of having undergone a complex geologic and climatic evolution. Aeolian, fluvial, periglacial, and volcanic processes appear to have remained active through to the present day, and evidence even points to active global climate change (Carr 2006). Luminescence dating has been suggested as one method to provide a chronology for Martian surface regolith, and efforts are underway to develop a robotic instrument for an in situ mission. Differences between terrestrial and Martian environments influence the dating methodology and the instrumentation required.

Mineral Composition

Unlike with terrestrial applications, an in situ luminescence dating instrument for Martian regolith samples will likely not allow chemical treatment and mineral separation. Work with polymineralic samples is a prerequisite. Data...

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, East Carolina University, Howell Science Complex, Tenth Street, 27858-4353, Greenville, NC, USA

    Regina DeWitt

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  1. Regina DeWitt
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Correspondence to Regina DeWitt .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Geography and Earth Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    W. Jack Rink

  2. Department of Medical Physics and Applied Radiation Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Jeroen Thompson

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DeWitt, R. (2014). Luminescence, Martian Sediments. In: Rink, W., Thompson, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Scientific Dating Methods. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_82-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_82-6

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  1. Latest

    Tephrochronology
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    13 September 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_19-1

  2. Luminescence, Martian Sediments
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    11 February 2014

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_82-6

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    Luminescence, Martian Sediments
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    08 October 2013

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6326-5_82-5

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