Schematic diagram of InSight using various instruments to detect earthquakes and geothermal phenomena on Mars. (Shutterstock)
[The Epoch Times, May 30, 2023](The Epoch Times reporter Linda compiles and reports) A team of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) said that by analyzing the NASA (NASA) InSight (InSight) Mars The data obtained by the rover calculated the thickness of the Martian crust. At the same time, scientists detected radioactive elements that generate heat, and thus analyzed that the heat came from deep inside Mars. This provides clues for humans to explore the geological mysteries of Mars.
The discovery led scientists to an intriguing conclusion: Mars’ main source of heat lies deep within its interior, the result of the decay of radioactive elements such as thorium and uranium over time.
While that sounds fanciful, it actually means that the Red Planet’s interior is eerily similar to Earth’s, which also relies in part on heat from the decay of radioactive elements — in addition to leftover energy from its formation 4.5 billion years ago Outer – in order to keep its core as hellishly warm.
The team analyzed data from the strongest earthquakes on Mars detected by the seismometers on the InSight rover.
The seismic waves are strong enough to circle Mars three times, according to a team led by seismologist Doyeon Kim at the Institute of Geophysics at ETH Zurich.
As detailed in a paper published March 5 in Geophysical Research Letters, the team used data from that epic earthquake to determine the thickness of the Martian crust, showing that its average The thickness is between 26 and 35 miles.
“This means that the Martian crust is much thicker than that of Earth or the Moon,” Kim said in the statement. Smaller planets tend to have thicker crusts than larger planets.
The team also found that the crustal densities of Mars’ northern lowlands and southern highlands are similar, a “very exciting” discovery that “ends a long-standing scientific discussion about the origin and structure of Mars’ crust,” King said.
Perhaps most excitingly, the analysis also explains how Mars generated heat over billions of years.
Researchers have found that at least half of these heat-generating radioactive elements are found in the Martian crust, which could be responsible for “local melt zones” in the planet’s interior — and perhaps our answer to unraveling the mysteries of Martian geology. A compelling lead. ◇#
Editor in charge: Ye Ziwei
