Mars Seismology

For the first time, from early 2019 to the end of 2022, Mars' shallow and deep interiors have been explored by seismology with the InSight mission. Thanks to the performances of its seismometers and the quality of their robotic installation on the ground, 1,319 seismic events have been detected, including about 90 marsquakes at teleseismic distances, withMw from 2.5 to 4.7 and at least 6 impacts, the largest ones with craters larger than 130 m. A large fraction of these marsquakes occur in Cerberus Fossae, demonstrating active regional tectonics. Records of pressure-induced seismic noise and signals from the penetration of a heat flow probe have provided subsurface models below the lander. Deeper direct and secondary body wave phase travel time, receiver function, and surface wave analysis have provided the first interior models of Mars, including crustal thickness and crustal layering, mantle structure, thermal lithospheric thickness, and core radius and state.

Automated summary

Through the InSight mission, the shallow and deep interiors of Mars have been explored for the first time using seismology. With the help of reliable seismometers and their robotic installation, a total of 1,319 seismic events have been detected, including approximately 90 marsquakes at teleseismic distances with magnitudes ranging from 2.5 to 4.7, as well as at least 6 impacts with craters larger than 130 m. The majority of these marsquakes occur in Cerberus Fossae, indicating active tectonic activity in the region. By analyzing pressure-induced seismic noise and signals from a heat flow probe, subsurface models below the lander have been established. Furthermore, advanced analysis techniques have provided the first interior models of Mars, revealing valuable information about crustal thickness, mantle structure, thermal lithospheric thickness, and core characteristics.