July 15, 2003

Geological Investigations of Haughton 2003.

One of the main focuses of the HMP 2003 field season is the investigation of the post-impact sedimentary record at Haughton. Of particular interest is the existence of well-preserved sedimentary deposits inside the crater that provide a unique record of post-impact lacustrine (lake) activity following the impact event.

Through detailed field studies (mapping, sampling, etc) and subsequent laboratory investigations, we hope to address several key aspects of the post-impact sedimentary record at Haughton. Specifically, we will study in detail: 1) the distribution and geometry of the paleolacustrine units at Haughton (the 23 Myr. old Haughton Formation) in relation to other geological units in order to better understand if, and how, the impact structure may have been modified over time; 2) variations in the nature of intra-crater sediments throughout the Haughton structure, some of which may be significantly more recent (fluvio-glacial deposits from the Last Glacial Maximum) than previously suspected; (3) the effects (if any) of post-impact hydrothermal activity on the crater lake environment, including the search for hydrothermally mineralized zones and fossil thermophilic microorganisms (heat loving species).

The aim of this research is to advance our understanding of impact structures, the evolution of the Arctic environment since the early Miocene (i.e., since the time of impact ~23 Myr. ago), and how similar intra-crater sedimentary settings may be explored on Mars.

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