McLaughlin (Martian crater)

McLaughlin Crater is an old crater in the Oxia Palus quadrangle of Mars, located at 21.9°N 337.63°E / 21.9; 337.63. It is 90.92 km (56.50 mi)[1] in diameter and 2.2 km (1.4 mi)[2] deep. The crater was named after Dean B. McLaughlin, an American astronomer (1901-1965).[1][3] The Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has found evidence that the water came from beneath the surface between 3.7 billion and 4 billion years ago and remained long enough to make carbonate-related clay minerals found in layers.[2][4] McLaughlin Crater, one of the deepest craters on Mars, contains Mg-Fe clays and carbonates that probably formed in a groundwater-fed alkaline lake. This type of lake could have had a massive biosphere of microscopic organisms.[5]

McLaughlin crater - close-up
(released 14 January 2016).
Not to be confused with McLaughlin (Lunar crater).
McLaughlin Crater[1][2]
McLaughlin Crater viewed from orbit - small 0.550 km (0.342 mi) portion of 90.92 km (56.50 mi) diameter crater floor is shown - (MRO, HiRISE) (January, 2013).
PlanetMars
RegionOxia Palus quadrangle
Coordinates21.9°N 337.63°E / 21.9; 337.63[1]
QuadrangleOxia Palus
Diameter90.92 km (56.50 mi)[1]
Depth2.2 km (1.4 mi)[2]
EponymDean B. McLaughlin, American astronomer (1901-1965). (IAU, 1973).[1]

See also

References
  1. IAU Staff (17 November 2010). "McLaughlin - Crater, Mars, 3782". IAU. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  2. Choi, Charles Q. (20 January 2013). "Giant Mars Crater Shows Evidence of Ancient Lake". Space.com. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  3. "Home". planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov.
  4. "Martian Crater May Once Have Held Groundwater-Fed Lake". Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  5. Michalski, J., J. Cuadros, P. Niles, J. Parnell, A. Rogers, S. Wright. 2013. Groundwater activity on Mars and implications for a deep biosphere. Nature geoscience:6, 133–138.


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