Unveiling Mars' Hidden Secrets

A groundbreaking discovery has emerged from the depths of Mars, hinting at the remnants of ancient 'failed planets'. New research suggests that the Red Planet's interior is hiding giant impact structures, including possible remains of protoplanets that could date back to the solar system's formation.

Marsquake Revelations

Published on August 28 in the journal Science, the study analyzed data from NASA's InSight lander, which monitored seismic activity beneath the Martian surface from 2018 until its unfortunate end in 2022. By examining how Marsquake signals travelled through the planet's stiff mantle, researchers uncovered previously unseen dense blobs, some stretching up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) in diameter.

What Lies Beneath?

The discoveries reveal structures residing within a mantle of solid rock, extending 960 miles (1,550 km) deep and reaching scorching temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius). Constantinos Charalambous, lead author and planetary scientist at Imperial College London, exclaimed, "We've never seen the inside of a planet in such fine detail and clarity before!"

Evidence of Cosmic Collisions

Research indicates these blobs were formed during early solar system chaos about 4.5 billion years ago, likely as a result of massive objects colliding with Mars—blocks of rock that could have evolved into full-fledged planets if not disrupted.

A Static Martian Interior

Unlike Earth, which boasts active tectonic plates, Mars is a single-plate planet. This means its crust doesn’t shift or subduct, keeping its basal structure largely intact over billions of years. Charalambous noted, "Their survival to this day tells us Mars' mantle has evolved sluggishly over billions of years. On Earth, features like these may well have been largely erased."

Understanding Marsquake Activity

On Mars, quakes stem from landslides and meteoroid strikes, rather than tectonic shifts, providing a unique opportunity to explore the planet’s interior. InSight recorded a impressive 1,319 Marsquakes during its mission, unveiling seismic data that is reshaping our understanding of the Red Planet.

An Ongoing Mystery

This astonishing data not only intrigues scientists but also deepens the mystery surrounding Mars. With each discovery, the story of this ancient planet continues to unravel, inviting further exploration and examination of our cosmic neighbor.