Stratification of Heterogeneity in the Lithosphere of Mars From Envelope Modeling of Event S1222a and Near Impacts: Interpretation and Implications for Very-High-Frequency Events

We have modeled the high-frequency seismogram envelopes of the large event S1222a and four recently identified near impacts recorded by the InSight mission by introducing a stratification of velocity and attenuation into a multiple-scattering approach. We show that a simple conceptual model composed of a strongly diffusive, weakly attenuating layer overlying a transparent medium captures the essential features of the observed envelopes. The attenuation profiles reveal that the minimal extension of heterogeneities at depth is of the order of 20 km in the vicinity of InSight and 60 km on the path to S1222a. We interpret this result as an indication that the Martian crust as a whole is at the origin of the strong scattering. Our heterogeneity model suggests that the sources of a number of distant Very-high-Frequency seismic events are shallow and located to the south or in close vicinity of the Martian dichotomy.

Automated summary

We modeled the high-frequency seismogram envelopes of large event S1222a and four near impacts recorded by the InSight mission by introducing velocity and attenuation stratification. A simple conceptual model consisting of a diffusive, weakly attenuating layer overlying a transparent medium captures the essential features of the observed envelopes. The attenuation profiles suggest minimal heterogeneities extension at depths of about 20 km near InSight and 60 km on the path to S1222a, indicating the Martian crust as the origin of strong scattering. Our heterogeneity model suggests that the sources of distant Very-high-Frequency seismic events are located shallow and to the south or in close vicinity of the Martian dichotomy.