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Science 24 October 2003:
Vol. 302. no. 5645, pp. 627 - 630
DOI: 10.1126/science.1089647
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Reports

Discovery of Olivine in the Nili Fossae Region of Mars

Todd M. Hoefen,1* Roger N. Clark,1 Joshua L. Bandfield,2 Michael D. Smith,3 John C. Pearl,3 Philip R. Christensen2

We have detected a 30,000-square-kilometer area rich in olivine in the Nili Fossae region of Mars. Nili Fossae has been interpreted as a complex of grabens and fractures related to the formation of the Isidis impact basin. We propose that post-impact faulting of this area has exposed subsurface layers rich in olivine. Linear mixture analysis of Thermal Emission Spectrometer spectra shows surface exposures of 30% olivine, where the composition of the olivine ranges from Fo30 to Fo70.

1 U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, CO 80225, USA.
2 Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
3 Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: thoefen{at}usgs.gov

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