Assumptions about the presence of natural glasses on Mars

On geological grounds, natural glasses could be expected on the surface of Mars and their presence would have important implications for the weathering and alteration of the near-surface layer. Available data indicate that we can presume the past or present existence of volcanic basaltic glasses, impact glasses formed by thermal fusion of meteorite-impact targets, and diaplectic (mainly maskelynite) glasses. Conditions appear unsuitable for the formation of tektites on the Martian surface, and the production of measurable amounts of fulgurite or combustion glass seems improbable. Prospects for the remote and in situ identification of Martian glasses and their subsequent weathering products are discussed. -from Authors