Which specific mineral deposit did Spirit find abundantly near the Home Plate plateau in Gusev Crater?
Answer
Opaline silica
Spirit's exploration within Gusev Crater yielded critical clues regarding the ancient hydrological history of that region. The rover made significant discoveries involving the identification of opaline silica deposits found in abundance, particularly concentrated near the Home Plate plateau. On Earth, the formation of opaline silica is strongly linked to geothermal processes, specifically hot springs or environments where water interacts with rock over extended periods. The presence of these deposits strongly suggested that Gusev Crater hosted a sustained, wet environment, likely involving warmer conditions beyond simple surface runoff, possibly indicating hydrothermal activity.
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