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Martian Crust

All articles tagged with #martian crust

space2 years ago

Uncovering the Surprising Source of Mars' Largest Quake

The source of a massive quake on Mars, detected by NASA's InSight lander, has surprised scientists. Mars, which was believed to lack tectonic plates, experienced colossal tectonic activity in its crust, according to a study led by Benjamin Fernando of the University of Oxford. The leading alternative explanation, a meteorite impact, was ruled out. The findings suggest that Mars is more seismically active than previously thought, although further exploration is needed to fully understand the planet's geological processes.

via ScienceAlert|
#insight-lander#marsquake#martian-crust
space2 years ago

Mars Unveils Evidence of a Devastating Catastrophe

The Zhurong rover, which operated on Mars for over a year, obtained magnetic field readings indicating an extremely weak field beneath its landing site in the Utopia Planitia region. These readings contradict previous measurements from orbit and suggest that the crust in this region may have remained unmagnetized since its formation or was demagnetized by a later impact. Understanding the timeline of Mars' magnetosphere disappearance is crucial for astrobiological studies and could provide insights into the planet's past climate, interior, and the potential for life to emerge and persist.

via Inverse|
#astrobiology#magnetic-field#mars
space2 years ago

Uncovering the Mysteries of Mars: New Discoveries on its Crust and Core.

NASA's InSight lander measured the largest marsquake ever recorded in May 2022, revealing that the Martian crust is "like heavy armor" in some locations, according to a new study. The team's research showed that the crust of the Red Planet has a thickness that ranges from an average of 26 to 35 miles (42 to 56 kilometers), but its thickest extent is double that: 56 miles (90 kilometers). The team's discovery of a thick Martian crust in some places also sheds some light on how the planet generates heat, and how this has evolved over the Red Planet's history.

via Space.com|
#geological-structures#insight-lander#mars
science2 years ago

Radioactive Heat Found in Mars' Core by Scientists.

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered that the main source of heat inside Mars is the result of radioactive elements like thorium and uranium decaying over time. The team used data obtained by NASA's Mars InSight lander to determine the thickness of the Martian crust, which averages between 26 and 35 miles, much thicker than that of the Earth or the Moon. At least half of the heat-producing radioactive elements were found in the Martian crust, which could account for "local melt zones" in the planet's interior.

via Futurism|
#heat-source#mars#martian-crust