Thermal Springs Deposits: Prospects for Locating Ancient Fossils on Mars

As interest in further exploration of Mars continues to escalate, it is imperative that means for evaluating potential landing sites and collectable sample characteristics be determined. Of the possible scenarios for the development of life on Mars and hence locations for a search for fossilized evidence of life, hot spring environments represent one of the most promising. This investigation focuses on siliceous hot springs deposits as modern analogues for loci of early life on Mars.

• Ongoing collaboration with group at NASA Ames established and continuing; joint publications in process
• PI has received further funding through NASA JOVE (JOint VEnture) program for this research
• PI will be submitting proposal to Fall 1994 Planetary Biology RFP
• Two graduate students supported

Contact Information

Mail:	Dr. Nancy Hinman
	Department of Geology
	University of Montana
	Missoula, MT 59812