Recent research suggests that ancient impact structures may be hidden deep beneath the surface of Mars. These mysterious formations, untouched for billions of years, could trace back to the early days of our solar system.
A study, published in the journal Science, analyzed data from NASA’s InSight lander. InSight recorded seismic activity, or “Marsquakes,” from 2018 until 2022, before dust covered its solar panels, ending its mission. The research team wondered how these quakes traveled through Mars’ solid mantle. By examining their vibrations, they found dense blobs of material that had never been seen before.
These blobs, some as large as 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) across, were located at different depths in Mars’ mantle. This mantle is made of solid rock and can reach temperatures of about 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius). Researchers believe these structures formed from giant impacts that struck Mars up to 4.5 billion years ago. Some of the impactors might have been protoplanets—massive space rocks that could have evolved into full-sized planets.
Study lead author Constantinos Charalambous, a planetary scientist, emphasized the unique clarity of this discovery, stating, “What we’re seeing is a mantle studded with ancient fragments.” This observation highlights the differences between Mars and Earth; Mars’ crust remains intact, while Earth’s is divided into moving tectonic plates. On Earth, many ancient structures have been erased by geological activity, but on Mars, they persist.
Interestingly, Martian tremors can result from a variety of events, including landslides or meteoroid impacts. InSight captured over 1,300 Marsquakes. This data not only helps map the planet but has also led to other remarkable findings, like the discovery of a potential underground ocean in previous research.
This work offers insights into the evolution of Mars. According to Charalambous, “Their survival to this day tells us Mars’ mantle has evolved slowly over billions of years.” Understanding Mars’ internal structure can provide valuable lessons about planetary formation and the history of our solar system. The study reinforces the notion that Mars serves as a time capsule, revealing critical aspects of its formation that were previously unknown.
For more on similar discoveries, check out NASA’s detailed reports on Mars research, which continue to uncover the secrets of our neighboring planet.
