Recent research indicates that giant impact structures, potentially remnants of ancient protoplanets, may be lying deep beneath the surface of Mars. These enigmatic formations, which have been preserved within the Red Planet's immobile interior for billions of years, could date back to the dawn of our solar system.
A study published on August 28 in the journal Science details how researchers utilized data from NASA's InSight lander, which monitored Marsquake activity from 2018 until its unfortunate end in 2022 due to dust accumulation on its solar panels. By examining the vibrations caused by these Marsquakes as they traveled through the Martian mantle, the research team uncovered several previously unseen dense blobs within the planet's interior.
The study revealed dozens of potential structures measuring up to 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) in diameter, located at various depths within Mars' mantle. This mantle, composed of approximately 960 miles (1,550 km) of solid rock, can reach extreme temperatures of up to 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit (1,500 degrees Celsius).
According to the lead author of the study, Constantinos Charalambous, a planetary scientist at Imperial College London, "We've never seen the inside of a planet in such fine detail and clarity before." He elaborated that the findings suggest a mantle filled with ancient fragments, providing a glimpse into the planet's geological history.
The researchers theorize that the identified structures were formed from impacts by celestial objects up to 4.5 billion years ago, during the formative period of the solar system. Some of these objects are believed to have been protoplanets—massive rocks that had the potential to evolve into full-fledged planets if left undisturbed.
This groundbreaking research sheds light on the distinct geological characteristics of Mars. Unlike Earth, which has a segmented crust divided into tectonic plates, Mars is classified as a single-plate planet. This means its crust remains intact, preventing the subduction of crustal pieces into the mantle. As a result, the molten rock within Mars does not undergo the same convection processes seen on Earth.
The survival of these ancient structures suggests that Mars' interior has evolved much more slowly than Earth's. As Charalambous noted, "On Earth, features like these may well have been largely erased." The lack of tectonic activity on Mars means that Marsquakes are primarily caused by landslides, cracking rocks, or meteoroid impacts, which frequently affect the planet's surface.
The InSight mission captured data from a total of 1,319 Marsquakes over its four-year duration, allowing scientists to detect not only the newly discovered structures but also a giant underground ocean reported last year. The ability to map the internal features of Mars with such precision has surprised scientists, opening new avenues for understanding the planet's geological history.
In conclusion, the discovery of these hidden structures beneath the Martian surface offers valuable insights into the planet's past and its geological evolution. As research continues, Mars remains a subject of fascination, promising further revelations about its ancient history and potential for past life.
