A significant Marsquake, detected by NASA's InSight lander in May 2022, has been attributed to unexpected colossal tectonic activity in Mars' crust. This discovery is surprising as Mars lacks tectonic plates, and the previously suspected cause, a giant meteorite impact, has been ruled out.
Instead, the quake likely resulted from stress release within Mars' crust, stemming from billions of years of geological evolution, including variations in cooling and shrinking rates across the planet.
Biggest Marsquake Ever Recorded
On May 4, or Sol 1222 on Mars, NASA's InSight Mars Lander detected a significant Marsquake, surpassing all previous records and registering a magnitude of 4.7. This extraordinary event, the biggest Marsquake to date, was studied by an international team led by planetary scientist Taichi Kawamura and seismologist John Clinton.
The energy released by this quake was equivalent to that of all previous Marsquakes combined, with seismic waves so substantial that they nearly saturated the seismometer. Seismology on Mars provides valuable insights into the planet's subsurface, including water and geological structures, much like on Earth.
This groundbreaking research revealed that the Marsquake's epicenter, near the Cerberus Fossae region, was not directly associated with known geological features, possibly indicating hidden subsurface structures.
The quake exhibited a unique combination of high-frequency and low-frequency characteristics, suggesting that previously categorized Marsquakes might be different aspects of the same phenomenon.
The study's success underscores the accomplishments of the InSight mission, despite nearing its operational end due to dust accumulation on its solar panels. The data from this seismic event contributes significantly to our understanding of Mars' interior.
Seismic Activity on Mars May Have Caused Last Year's Marsquake
After four years on Mars, NASA's InSight lander has detected numerous seismic events. Some of them were attributed to meteorite impacts, and others linked to volcanic activity. These findings challenged the prevailing notion that Mars was a geologically stagnant world.
Dr. Benjamin Fernando and his team sought to unravel the origins of the most substantial Marsquake documented, designated as S1222a. The seismic data exhibited characteristics akin to known impact events, prompting a concerted international endeavor involving space agencies equipped with Mars-orbiting satellites.
Despite an extensive search conducted by these agencies, no substantial impact scars could be identified. Consequently, the leading hypothesis regarding S1222a pointed toward tectonic activity. This discovery implies that Mars likely experiences greater seismic activity than previously believed.
Although InSight is no longer operational, the wealth of data it amassed will remain instrumental for ongoing scientific inquiry. Future Mars missions will continue to shed light on the questions posed by this intriguing revelation, enhancing our comprehension of the geological dynamics on Mars and their potential implications for future human colonization.
Dr. Fernando commented that a comprehensive understanding of why certain regions of the planet experience elevated stress levels relative to others has not been achieved. Nonetheless, discoveries like these will enable and support further investigation, potentially assisting in the identification of safe zones for human colonization on Mars while also highlighting areas that might be best avoided.
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