Three studies show what Mars looks like inside
The seismometer of the Mars probe Insight. (Photo: NASA / JPL-Caltech)
Liquid core, liquid mantle, thin crust – thanks to the data from the Mars probe Insight, researchers inside have for the first time clues as to what the interior of Mars might be like.
Scientists have only known for around 100 years how the earth is built up inside. Mars is now only the second planet where such an insight into the internal structure has been achieved. This was made possible by the Mars probe Insight, which has been listening for earthquakes on the surface of the Red Planet since the end of 2018. Over 700 Marsquakes are said to have been measured so far. An image of the planet can be created using the seismic waves. In three studies the results have now been processed. Conclusion: Mars is quite similar to the earth in its interior, but shows bigger differences.
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Insight: Mars has a liquid core
Like the Earth, Mars has a liquid core inside – at least outside. It has not yet been possible to determine whether the Martian core, like that of the earth, is solid at its core. In any case, the size of the core is 1,830 kilometers in radius. The earth’s core is around twice as large with a radius of almost 3,500 kilometers. However, Mars is only about half the size of Earth in radius. According to the Insight data, the overlying liquid rock mantle is at least around 1,500 kilometers thick, like br.de reports. Unlike on Earth, the mantle consists of only one layer of rock.
When it comes to the crust of Mars, scientists are still not entirely in agreement as to whether it consists of two or three layers. Depending on the situation, the Martian crust is 20 or 39 kilometers thick at the point where the Mars probe is located. Compared to the continental crust on earth, the Martian crust would be very thin if there were only two layers, according to geologist Brigitte Knapmeyer-Endrun from the University of Cologne, who at one of the three studies was involved. Overall, the crust on Mars is said to be between 24 and 72 kilometers thick.
No plate tectonics, but earthquakes nonetheless
According to the researchers, it is now clear that Mars, like the earth, was initially glowingly liquid. The structure of the layers differs somewhat, however. In addition, Mars is unlikely to have plate tectonics that are primarily responsible for earthquakes. Instead, the – much less strong – Mars quakes arise because the Martian crust has folds and fractures and continues to contract as the planet cools down. Further measurements of earthquakes should help clarify further questions about Mars, such as why it lost its magnetic field.
