Utah’s geologic and geomorphic analogs to Mars—An overview for planetary exploration.

Utah offers spectacular geologic features and valuable analog environments and processes for Mars studies. Horizontal strata of the Colorado Plateau are analogous to
Mars because the overprint of plate tectonics is minimal, yet the effects of strong
ground motion from earthquakes or impacts are preserved in the sedimentary record.
The close proximity of analog environments and lack of vegetative cover are advantages for field and remote-sensing studies. Dry, desert climate and modern wind
processes of Utah are comparable to Mars and its current surface. Analogs in Utah
include eolian, sabkha and saline bodies, glacial, lacustrine, spring, alluvial, fluvial,
delta, and outflow channel depositional environments, as well as volcanic landforms
and impact craters. Analogous secondary processes producing modification features
include: diagenetic concretions, weathering and soils, sinkholes, sapping, knobs and
pinnacles, crusts and varnish, and patterned grounds. Utah’s physical and chemical
environments are analogous to conditions on Mars where water existed and could
support microorganisms. The development of Mars includes: ancient and modern
depositional records, burial and diagenesis, uplift and tectonic alteration, and modern sculpting or weathering of the surface exposures. Recent satellite images are providing unprecedented details that rival the outcrop scale. Analogs in Utah are prime
field localities that can be utilized in planning future robotic and human missions to
Mars, and for teaching the next generation of planetary explorers.