Science Report
Date: 16 Feb 2013
Written by: April Davis
Today we drove our ATV convoy of five out to UTM 12S 518321E/4255795N
searching for endolith samples and gypsum deposits large enough to
drill samples. After parking our ATVs, we walked into a canyon that we
thought might compare to a canyon east of the hab that is known to
have large deposits of gypsum. Although this canyon only had small
deposits of powdery gypsum crystals on some surface areas, and no
suitable veins for drilling, the mission was not a complete bust. We
found very interesting pieces of petrified wood, many with large
calcite veins, at an upper edge to the canyon. We also found
cryptobiotic crust that we sampled to view under the microscope at the
hab.
On the drive back to the hab, we went west towards UTM 12S
515170E/4252755N. The terrain was more difficult than the drive north;
we encountered many dips and trenches while on the Bureau of Land
Management approved roadway. Maneuvering the ATVs on this landscape
worked out well for Audrey’s study. As we approached our waypoint, we
noticed what appeared to be fields of glass. We stopped to survey the
area and found large, thick sections of muscovite. As we came within
reach of the waypoint, we again noticed small powdery deposits of
gypsum crystals on the surface of the ground. However, there were no
significant veins where we could drill samples. While we were
disappointed to not complete our objectives for today's EVA, we look
forward to tomorrow's EVA to a canyon where we will certainly drill
gypsum and most likely find endolith samples.