Geology Report
Kerry Cupit - Crew Geologist

Soil/vapor gas equipment was unpacked and given a preliminary
inventory. All equipment seems to be accounted for at this time, and
future field tests of soil gas survey methods are ready to be scheduled
for an upcoming EVA.

The entire crew participated in EVA-1, during which various geological
principles were discussed as suitable and obvious examples presented
themselves throughout the traverse. Lateral continuity and the
principle of superposition were introduced once the crew were at
sufficient altitude to see continuous beds wrapping around hills around
MDRS.

Differences in grain sizes and cementation styles were discussed in
reference to resistant beds protruding from hillslopes and the
formation of hoodoos. The origin of sedimentary and igneous rocks were
mentioned in brief, as were groundwater processes and the formation of
sinkholes.

White, centimetre-scale evaporites were observed forming at the base of
low-angle convergent slopes. The evaporite was likely calcite, however
it was not further sampled or tested.

A coarser-grained outcrop of subangular, poorly sorted immature
sandstone beds and laminations were observed on the return leg of the
EVA, ~75m north of HAB. They were dipping at approximately 10-15°, in
contrast with much of the horizontal layer-cake type sediments observed
earlier in the traverse at higher elevations. This may indicate the
presence of a nearby unconformity, however more detailed observations
would need to be made.

Casual observations of the landscape indicated the possible presence of
faulting to the northwest of the HAB, where the continuity of beds was
obscured. This may have been due to differences in erosion
rates/styles and closer inspection is needed. Faulted areas are of key
interest to the planned soil gas surveys, therefore this area may be a
target for a reconnaissance of possible soil gas survey sites in the
near future.

Seeing as the objectives of this EVA were to help educate the crew on
some pertinent geologic principles and EVA training, sampling and
detailed geologic analysis were not performed beyond what is described
above.