As we mentioned in last blog, there are plenty of similarities in the composition of volcanic rocks between the Red Planet and Earth. Researchers have shown that there are plenty of terrestrial minerals on Mars. The exception is Quartz, a mineral also found in igneous rocks on Earth. What would be the reason?
Before finding the reason, we must understand what the Quartz natural formation is. When silicon (Si) and oxygen (O2) combine, it creates silicon dioxide (SiO2), which is quartz. Therefore, most of the times quartz forms underground and it forms quite easily whenever a combination of oxygen and silica-rich solutions are present.
The only area on Mars where crystalline quartz has been identified from orbit is near Antoniadi Crater. However, the method of quartz formation has remained unknown. This suggests that the quartz formed as a diagenetic product of amorphous silica, rather than as a primary igneous mineral.
In conclusion, Mars is primarily composed of oxygen and silicon, the elements needed to form quartz like in Earth, but what does Earth has underground that Mars does not, which causes quartz to be missing? Is it the atmosphere? Or physical, chemical conditions?
Authors: Massiel Barrera, Ivan Piedad and Maria Rodriguez
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