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The Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, has been used to map a stratigraphically conformable layer of high‐SiO 2 material in Gale crater. Previous work has shown that this material contains tridymite, a high‐temperature/low‐pressure felsic mineral, interpreted to have a volcanic source rock. We describe several characteristics including orientation, extent, hydration, and geochemistry, consistent with a volcaniclastic material conformably deposited within a lacustrine mudstone succession. Relationships with widely dispersed alteration features and orbital detections of hydrated SiO 2 suggest that this high‐SiO 2 layer extends at least 17 km laterally. Mineralogical abundances previously reported for this high‐SiO 2 material indicated that hydrous species were restricted to the amorphous (non‐crystalline) fraction, which is dominated by SiO 2. The low mean bulk hydration of this high‐SiO 2 layer (1.85 ± 0.13 wt.% water‐equivalent hydrogen) is consistent with silicic glass in addition to opal‐A and opal‐CT. Persistent volcanic glass and tridymite in addition to opal in an ancient sedimentary unit indicates that the conversion to more ordered forms of crystalline SiO 2 has not proceeded to completion and that this material has had only limited exposure to water since it originally erupted, despite having been transported in a fluviolacustrine system. Our results, including the conformable nature, large areal extent, and presence of volcanic glass, indicate that this high‐SiO 2 material is derived from the product of evolved magma on Mars. This is the first identification of a silicic volcaniclastic layer on another planet and has important implications for magma evolution mechanisms on single‐plate planets. Plain Language Summary: Using the Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons instrument aboard the Mars Science Laboratory rover, Curiosity, we mapped a silica‐rich layer throughout a small region in Gale crater known as Marias Pass. Previous work has shown that some rocks in Marias Pass contain minerals formed in explosive volcanic eruptions. We determined several key characteristics including orientation, extent, hydration, and elemental composition, which are consistent with material derived from a volcanic deposit. This layer is likely related to nearby silica‐rich material deposited by groundwater along subsurface fractures, and geometric relationships to hydrated silica identified from orbit suggest that this high‐silica layer extends over at least 17 km. Mineralogical data from previous work indicates the crystalline fraction is anhydrous. As such, we interpret the low hydration of this material, attributable to the amorphous (non‐crystalline) fraction, as being consistent with a significant abundance of volcanic glass in addition to other hydrated phases. The presence of volcanic glass indicates that this material has had limited exposure to water since its formation, because glasses tend to preferentially weather. Our results show that this layer is parallel to surrounding rocks, covers a large area, and contains volcanic glass, indicating that it derived from an explosive volcanic product. Key Points: A >1 m thick SiO 2‐ and tridymite‐rich layer in Gale crater likely extends over several kilometersThis layer is stratigraphically conformable, with low water content consistent with significant volcanic glassThis material is consistent with an evolved igneous material deposited in a lacustrine environment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We model the fluids involved in the alteration processes recorded in the Sheepbed Member mudstones of Yellowknife Bay ( YKB), Gale crater, Mars, as revealed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover investigations. We compare the Gale crater waters with fluids modeled for shergottites, nakhlites, and the ancient meteorite ALH 84001, as well as rocks analyzed by the Mars Exploration rovers, and with terrestrial ground and surface waters. The aqueous solution present during sediment alteration associated with phyllosilicate formation at Gale was high in Na, K, and Si; had low Mg, Fe, and Al concentrations-relative to terrestrial groundwaters such as the Deccan Traps and other modeled Mars fluids; and had near neutral to alkaline pH. Ca and S species were present in the 10−3 to 10−2 concentration range. A fluid local to Gale crater strata produced the alteration products observed by Curiosity and subsequent evaporation of this groundwater-type fluid formed impure sulfate- and silica-rich deposits-veins or horizons. In a second, separate stage of alteration, partial dissolution of this sulfate-rich layer in Yellowknife Bay, or beyond, led to the pure sulfate veins observed in YKB. This scenario is analogous to similar processes identified at a terrestrial site in Triassic sediments with gypsum veins of the Mercia Mudstone Group in Watchet Bay, UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ChemCam instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory rover Curiosity will use laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to analyze major and minor element chemistry from sub-millimeter spot sizes, at ranges of ∼1.5-7 m. To interpret the emission spectra obtained, ten calibration standards will be carried on the rover deck. Graphite, Ti metal, and four glasses of igneous composition provide primary, homogeneous calibration targets for the laser. Four granular ceramic targets have been added to provide compositions closer to soils and sedimentary materials like those expected at the Gale Crater field site on Mars. Components used in making these ceramics include basalt, evaporite, and phyllosilicate materials that approximate the chemical compositions of detrital and authigenic constituents of clastic and evaporite sediments, including the elevated sulfate contents present in many Mars sediments and soils. Powdered components were sintered at low temperature (800 °C) with a small amount (9 wt.%) of lithium tetraborate flux to produce ceramics that retain volatile sulfur yet are durable enough for the mission. The ceramic targets are more heterogeneous than the pure element and homogenous glass standards but they provide standards with compositions more similar to the sedimentary rocks that will be Curiosity's prime targets at Gale Crater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]