Martian sand ‘similar to Hawaiian sand’

wind blown martian sand

Experiments carried out by NASA’s rover Curiosity have determined that Martian soils are similar to those found in Hawaii. The Hawaiian soils are formed from weathered basaltic volcanic rocks. The experiments carried out by the rover’s Chemistry and Mineralogy instrument (CheMin) reinforce earlier estimates of the mineralogical make up of the dust and fine sands which are widespread on the Martian surface.

Updates from Curiosity can be found here.

 

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