Earth and Planetary Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-28-2026

Abstract

The Curiosity rover has been exploring Gale crater, a large impact basin near the Mars equator since 2012. This mission has greatly improved our ability to explore the surface of Mars with a suite of geologic tools and cameras and has revealed that Mars likely once resembled present-day Earth. In this dissertation, I utilize measurements and data taken by Curiosity to analyze the distribution and preservation of small impact craters at meter scales, I quantify the formation characteristics of a small impact crater cluster, and I examine the presence of barium in a geologic unit with high-Si to constrain sediment provenance and secondary alteration in Gale crater. Together these studies highlight how robotic planetary missions can advance our understanding of geologic processes beyond our established terrestrial conceptions.

Degree Name

Earth and Planetary Sciences

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Dr. Tyler Mackey

Second Committee Member

Dr. Marisa Repasch

Third Committee Member

Dr. Patrick Gasda

Fourth Committee Member

Dr. John Grant

Language

English

Keywords

Mars, impact cratering, Curiosity rover, ChemCam

Document Type

Dissertation

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