The NASA InSight probe arrived on Mars at the end of 2018 and already in March-April 2019 was able to record first cases marsquakes. These events are not only interesting in themselves, although they give an idea of the geological activity of Mars. The seismic waves registered by the probe make it possible to learn regarding the structure of this planet from the surface to the core. Two new quake events give hope for unique data.
Image Source: The Seismic Record
As reported in a recent article in the journal The Seismic Record University of Bristol researchers, August 25, 2021 and 24 days later InSight instruments recorded for the first time shocks on the far side of Mars. And these tremors were record-breaking in magnitude: magnitudes of 4.2 and 4.1, respectively, five times higher than previous record records. Moreover, the probe’s equipment for the first time recorded the so-called diffracted transverse waves (Pdiff), which crossed the boundary between the mantle and the core. Prior to this, only P- and S-type waves (longitudinal and transverse / secondary) were recorded.
Longitudinal seismic waves can propagate in any medium, including air, while transverse waves propagate only in a solid medium and, for example, attenuate when they enter the liquid medium of the planet’s core. The registration of numerous reflections of longitudinal and transverse waves from the surface of Mars and at the boundaries of its internal structures, as well as low-amplitude Pdiff waves and an assessment of the interference of all types of waves, make it possible to confidently determine the structure of Mars without work with physical penetration deep into the planet.
Thanks to previously collected data, scientists are already were able to clarify the internal structure of Mars, in particular, its core turned out to be larger than previously thought, as well as the relative thickness of the mantle turned out to be larger than predicted. Two new and record-breaking Marsquakes from the opposite side of the planet will provide even more refining data to describe the geology of this planet.
Artistic representation of the InSight probe on Mars. Image Source: NASA
The epicenter of one of the quakes is precisely defined – it was located in the famous Mariner Valley – the largest canyon in the solar system. The epicenter of the second event has not been determined, although it lasted a record-breaking 94 minutes and provided a wealth of unique information. In general, the two new marsquakes, in terms of the totality of events, significantly got out of the indications recorded so far, which made scientists unspeakably happy.
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