EVA-1 Report:
Veronica Ann Zabala-Aliberto & Todd Romberger

Start EVA: 1100 hrs
End EVA: 1406hrs
Zabala-Aliberto: Geologist, Crew 46
Todd Romberger: HSO

Destination GPS: EVA-001: Site #1
Latitude: N38°24'16".7
Longitude: W110°47'43".8
Altitude: 1406 m

EVA-001: Site #2
Latitude: N 38°24'03".3
Longitude: W 110°47'35".0
Altitude: 1412m

EVA-001: Site #3
Latitude: N 38°23'44"
Longitude: W 110°47'44".2
Altitude: 1383 m

EVA Goals: To conduct photogeology in the field to document concretions at/near the Mars Desert Research Station as well as to instruct our HSO about the local geology. To collect samples of fossils, rocks and concretions this may prove geologically as well as astrobiologically interesting.

Results:

EVA-001: Site #1: Site #1
Latitude: N38°24'16".7
Longitude: W110°47'43".8
Altitude: 1406 m
Comments: Ground mostly covered (95%) with small shell fossils. Landscape is small, gently rolling rolls. Some rocks composed of regolith with smaller rocks and shells embedded. Rough, jagged edges with some rocks that sparkle. Evidence of recent moving water. Small dried up streambeds between observed hills.

EVA-001: Site #2
Latitude: N 38°24'03".3
Longitude: W 110°47'35".0
Altitude: 1412m
Comments: Outcropping of darker material (surface layers), higher elevation than surrounding terrain. Dark, flat, oxidized rocks which decrease in size with lower elevation. Concretions covering much of the ground varying in size. Lighter, finer materials beneath concretions and rocks.

EVA-001: Site #3
Latitude: N 38°23'44"
Longitude: W 110°47'44".2
Altitude: 1383 m
Comments: "Comet Tail Gully". Sedimentary layers in gully walls. Concretions that are oxidized were located on upper layers. River rocks with separate layers. Evidence of worm-like biological activity in the middle of the formation. On Comet Tail Rock, concretions extruding on all sides of the rock.

Special Notes: CDR was quite impressed with the HSO on his first geologic excursion. He seemed interested and asked many questions. We had a productive EVA and look forward to going back out in the field to carry out more investigations.

Special Notes from the HSO: Today's EVA was a great learning experience in some basic geology concepts including sample collecting and observational note taking. Many samples were taken including sedimentary concretions, metamorphic quartz and chert, and some volcanic rocks which preliminary observations determined could be from the nearby Henry Mountains. Further field investigations will be needed for ground-truthing.

This EVA gave an insight into the importance of geologic research of this type and how it relates to Mars. By learning about the past conditions that led to the many various rock formations and features here on Earth, including concretions and chert, we can learn more about the past conditions on Mars, for many of the same geologic processes are at work on both planets.

Lessons Learned: Just like when one goes pumpkin hunting for that special pumpkin for Halloween...you get to keep what you can carry. In geology, the same rule applies! Never collect more than what you need or what you can carry back to your Mars habitat. "It's a long walk back to the hab!"

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EVA-2 Report:
Stacy T. Sklar & Menkes van den Briel Reporting

Start EVA: 11:30 hrs
End EVA: 13:34 hrs
Stacy T. Sklar
Menkes van den Briel

Destination GPS: None, this EVA was to familarize the chief engineer with field procedures, paleontology (including the possiblity of fossilized life on Mars), and geology of the MDRS Area. Our main location was along hab ridge to study the Gryphaea fossil bed.

EVA-002: Site #1
Latitude: 4250567
Longitude: 12 517880
Comments: At this site we observed a distinct contact between fragmental and disarticulate fossils.

EVA-002 Site #2
Latitude: 4250524
Longitude: 12 517865
Comments: At this site we observed the eastern contact of the oyster bed. During the traverse between site 1 and 2, at the topographical high points the disarticulate gryphaea were observed and within the topographical lows the fragmental gryphaea were observed. We also observed the possibility of two different species but will need further investigation and collaboration with our remote science teams.

EVA-002: Site #3
Latitude: 4250524
Longitude: 12 517867
Comments: At this site we observed gryphaea embedded within small outcrop of conglomerate bedding.

Special Notes: Stacy was very impressed that Menkes made many observations that generally would have been made by a trained geologist/paleontologist.

Lessons Learned: Make sure that you know where all of your field equipment is located. Also make sure that your equipment is charged properly.