Seismic detection of a deep mantle discontinuity within Mars by InSight

Constraining the thermal and compositional state of the mantle is crucial for deciphering the formation and evolution of Mars. Mineral physics predicts that Mars' deep mantle is demarcated by a seismic discontinuity arising from the pressure-induced phase transformation of the mineral olivine to its higher-pressure polymorphs, making the depth of this boundary sensitive to both mantle temperature and composition. Here, we report on the seismic detection of a midmantle discontinuity using the data collected by NASA's InSight Mission to Mars that matches the expected depth and sharpness of the postolivine transition. In five teleseismic events, we observed triplicated P and S waves and constrained the depth of this discontinuity to be 1,006 +/- 40 km by modeling the triplicated waveforms. From this depth range, we infer a mantle potential temperature of 1,605 +/- 100 K, a result consistent with a crust that is 10 to 15 times more enriched in heat-producing elements than the underlying mantle. Our waveform fits to the data indicate a broad gradient across the boundary, implying that the Martian mantle is more enriched in iron compared to Earth. Through modeling of thermochemical evolution of Mars, we observe that only two out of the five proposed composition models are compatible with the observed boundary depth. Our geodynamic simulations suggest that the Martian mantle was relatively cold 4.5 Gyr ago (1,720 to 1,860 K) and are consistent with a present-day surface heat flow of 21 to 24 mW/m(2).

Automated summary

Constraining the thermal and compositional state of the mantle is crucial for deciphering the formation and evolution of Mars. By analyzing seismic data collected by NASA's InSight Mission to Mars, researchers have detected a midmantle discontinuity, revealing information about the temperature and composition of Mars' mantle. This study suggests that the Martian mantle is colder and more iron-enriched compared to Earth's mantle.