Classification of Shocked Basalts from Vargeão Dome and Vista Alegre: Implications for the Search for Life on Mars

Meteorite impact events into water-bearing targets, though initially detrimental, can provide an environment for rock/water interactions promoting metabolically relevant chemistry required for early life to assemble. The resulting hydrothermal systems are found on Earth as well as Mars. Based on the biological implication of impact-generated lithologies on Earth, there is reason to believe Mars may have served as a niche for microbial life. The majority of Mars’ surface is covered by cratered basaltic rock, different from the dynamic sedimentary rock that covers 75% of the Earth’s surface. Of the five confirmed impact structures occurring within hydrothermally altered basaltic targets on Earth, Brazilian craters Vargeão Dome (12.4km diameter) and Vista Alegre (9.5km) are widely accessible yet remain unstudied with regards to biological activity. Through petrography, electron imagery, porosity and micro-X-ray diffraction analysis of the samples collected within the craters, areas of bioalteration (biomass attached) in shocked basalts will be identified for metagenomics (DNA culturing and extractions). The proposed project will be the first investigation of microbial colonization in shocked basaltic targets.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gordon Osinski;Roberta Flemming

Student:

Partner:

Georgetown University

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

Western University

Program: