Mars' Thick Crust and Radioactive Heat Source Revealed.
The crust of Mars is much thicker than that of Earth or the Moon, according to a study that analyzed data collected by NASA's InSight. The study also reported on the radioactive material heating up the interior of Mars, such as thorium, uranium, and potassium. Between 50 and 70 percent of these heat-producing elements are found in the Martian crust. The findings suggest that the crust averages between 42 and 56 kilometers thick, with the Tharsis province being the thickest at about 90 kilometers. The study is due to be published in Geophysical Research Letters.