[M-IS25] Planetary Volcanology

[MIS25-05] Evaluation of possible Martian analog sites around Syowa Station, East Antarctica

*Rina Noguchi¹, Tomohiro Usui², Daigo Shoji², Keisuke Fukushi³, Masahiro Yoda⁴, Shun Mihira⁴ (1.Faculty of Science, Niigata University, 2.ISAS, JAXA, 3.Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University., 4.Department of Earth and Planetary Science, University of Tokyo)

Keywords:Mars, Antarctica, Ice-free area, Martian analog

The ice-free areas in Antarctica have been used as Martian analogs because of their cold, dry, and poor-vegetation environments. For example, McMurdo Dry Valleys, located within Victoria Land west of McMurdo Sound, are investigated in point of rock alteration processes under Mars-like conditions. Syowa Station, a Japanese research station that lasts more than 60 years, is located in East Antarctica. Around Syowa Station, there exist several ice-free areas which have possibilities to be regarded as Martian analogs. To evaluate these possibilities, we performed a preliminary survey in five ice-free coastal areas, Langhovde, Skarvsnes, Skallen, Rundvagshetta, and Akarui Misaki, around Syowa Station. In the survey, we collected rock and water samples to understand rock alteration processes and water-rock interactions in Mars-like environments. In sandy areas, we observed the subsurface structure and tested its strength using a penetrometer to infer shallow subsurface structure/environment on Mars. We also verified an autonomous investigation system using an unmanned aerial vehicle which we developed for inaccessible outcrops. In this presentation, we show the quick results of these surveys.