Analysis of sedimentary structures on Mars: a review

Abstract

Special conditions on Mars — such as the carbon-dioxide atmosphere, the strong UV radiation, the surface gravity (which is smaller than on Earth), plus the presence of salty solutions (instead of the widespread pure water) — have
caused differences in the sedimentation processes and sediment characteristics which can be observed observed on the Earth. The characteristics of the deposits on Mars changed along with the planetary evolution, and sediments of the
greatest volume formed between the earlier warm plus wet, and the current dry plus cold periods. In this era a large volume of sulphates was deposited and this deposition might originally held more H2O, but later it became drier. Given
the evidence of low tectonic activity there are no strongly metamorphized and/or deformed sediments on the planet. Even the changes in the state of sediments due to lithostatic pressure and the subsurface fluids are smaller change than those
on the Earth.