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National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 49(117), p. 30973-30979, 2020

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2016326117

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The internal structure and geodynamics of Mars inferred from a 4.2-Gyr zircon record

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Significance We discovered a zircon record in a Martian meteorite that spans 4.2 Gyr, nearly the entire geologic history of Mars. Ancient zircons define a bimodal distribution with groupings at 4474 ± 10 Ma and 4442 ± 17 Ma, reflecting intense bombardment episodes triggered by the migration of the gas giant planets. A group of younger detrital zircons record ages from 1548.0 ± 8.8 Ma to 299.5 ± 0.6 Ma. The only plausible sources for these grains are the Elysium and Tharsis volcanic provinces that are the expressions of deep-seated mantle plumes. The chondritic-like Hf-isotope compositions of these zircons require the existence of a primitive and convecting mantle reservoir. Thus, these grains provide a tangible record of the deep Martian interior.