An Investigation of the Fluvial Geomorphology and Associated Minerals in the Syrtis Major, Mars

Syrtis Major Planum is a major volcanic construct on Mars ridden with a large number of fluvial channels mostly draining into the adjacent Isidis basin. These channels have been attributed to have formed by lava flows from the calderas of the construct onto the basin. However, with availability of high spatial and spectral resolution remote sensing datasets, new findings in the region over time have indicated possible presence of hydrological channels in Syrtis Major. We explore one such feature in the volcanic construct that seems to have been altered by hydrological activity. High abundance of hydroxylated and hydrated minerals have been found in the region which support this conclusion that lava might not be the only factor causing potential channel generation in the region.