Assessing Potential Mars Landing Sites Based on Groundwater-Induced Hydrated Mineralogy and Geomorphology

Junyi Wang

doi:10.70393/616a6e73.333038

OPEN ACCESS |Research Article ||30 July 2025

Assessing Potential Mars Landing Sites Based on Groundwater-Induced Hydrated Mineralogy and Geomorphology

Junyi Wang

Brown University

junyi_wang@brown.edu

Department of Physics, Brown University, 02903, RI, USA.

* Corresponding Author¹: Junyi Wang, E-Mail: junyi_wang@brown.edu

Publication

Accepted 2025 July 18 ; Published 2025 July 30

Academic Journal of Natural Science, 2025, 2(3), 3078-5170.

Abstract

As the thorough exploration of Mars H2O, identifying the existence of a Martian biosphere becomes imperative. This paper discussing hydrated minerals on Mars offers a critical pathway to assessing its past habitability and potential subsurface biosphere. This study presents a multi-criteria evaluation of three candidate landing sites—Danielson Crater, Aram Chaos, and southwest Arabia Terra—selected for their scientific relevance to aqueous processes and their compliance with engineering constraints for future surface missions. Using integrated datasets from CRISM, HiRISE, MOLA, and other orbital instruments, the analysis emphasizes morphological diversity, mineralogical signatures, and preservation potential. Danielson Crater is identified as the most favorable site, combining well-preserved stratigraphy with strong evidence of phyllosilicate-rich layered deposits. This framework can serve as a reference for future Mars exploration missions targeting signs of past groundwater activity and habitability.

Keywords

Mars , Hydrated Minerals , Habitability , Landing Site Selection , Danielson Crater , Aram Chaos , Arabia Terra , Subsurface Water .

Metadata

DOI:

10.70393/616a6e73.333038

ARK:

ark:/40704/AJNS.v2n3a01

Pages: 1-8

References: 16

Disciplines: Earth Sciences

Subjects: Geology

Cite This Article

APA Style

Wang, J. (2025). Assessing potential mars landing sites based on groundwater-induced hydrated mineralogy and geomorphology. Academic Journal of Natural Science, 2(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.70393/616a6e73.333038

Acknowledgments

The author gratefully appreciate all the academic support from Dr. Philippa Mason, Dr. Joel Davis, and Olivia Cai. Their exceptional guidance, expertise, and unwavering support throughout the entire research process have played a pivotal role in shaping this study and contributing to its completion. I am grateful for their dedication to fostering a collaborative acadmeic environment.

FUNDING

Not applicable.

INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD STATEMENT

Not applicable.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

INFORMED CONSENT STATEMENT

Not applicable.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Not applicable.

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