Magnetic signature of all Martian meteorites (SNC)

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Viktor Hoffmann
• Subject Area: Geophysics
• Term: from 2005 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 18407023

Aim of the project is the systematic investigation of all Martian meteorites by paleo-, rock- and mineral magnetic means to identify the different mineral magnetic phases in these meteorites with special emphasis on iron containing sulfides and oxides carrying the record about the Martian magnetic field and crustal anomalies. Iron sulfides may also play an important role in the prebiotic phase of the origin of life: The identification and characterization of magnetic minerals in SNC meteorites may lead to a better understanding of the evolution of the Martian magnetic field, and the structure of the planet Mars as a whole, such as core-mantle-crust differentiation and its properties and development over time. The different SNC meteorites offer magnetic material of different ages beginning with the 4.5 Gyr-old SNC meteorite ALH84001. Shock metamorphism features on the magnetic phases will have to be taken into account as a result of the ejection of the SNC from Mars due to large impacts. Potential alteration effects due to processes on Mars as well as on Earth during the residence time will be studied in detail. Finally the SNC magnetic signature will be compared with and interpreted in terms of Mars mission/lander data in order to develop a more substantiated magneto-mineralogical model.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1115: Mars and the Terrestrial Planets
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Erwin Appel