 HiRISE image of the "Home Plate"rock outcrop. | |
| Feature type | Rock outcrop |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 14°36′S175°30′E / 14.6°S 175.5°E /-14.6; 175.5 |
Home Plate is a plateau roughly 90 m across within theColumbia Hills,Mars. It is informally named for its similarity in shape to abaseballhome plate. Home Plate is a rocky outcrop that appears to show layered features.
The plateau has been extensively studied bySpirit, one of theMars Exploration Rovers, since 2006. The rover became stuck in loose granular material alongside the northeast side of the plateau. The rover last communicated with Earth on March 22, 2010.[1]
Spirit arrived at Home Plate onsol 744 (February 7, 2006) and has completed a scientific investigation with her robotic arm before moving to Low Ridge Haven due to power concerns. She returned on sol 1126 to resume those studies.
Spirit spent her third Martian winter on Home Plate's north edge.[2]
Scientists now believe that Home Plate is an explosive volcanic deposit. It is surrounded by deposits ofbasalt, which are believed to have exploded on contact with water. The presence of brine is further supported by the high concentration ofchloride ions in the surrounding rocks. The presence ofbomb sags (laminae typically found in beds of volcanish ash) seems to confirm this hypothesis.[3]
A patch of 90% pureopalinesilicon dioxide was unearthed bySpirit in the vicinity of Home Plate. The patch is believed to be formed in acidichydrothermal conditions, which supports the theory that Home Plate is of an explosive volcanic origin. Water is also present as mineralhydrates.[4][5]
Since 2008, scientists believe that this formation is an example of an eroded, ancient, and extinctfumarole.[6]
