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Scientists have determined that the largest recorded earthquake on Mars was the result of seismic activity rather than a strike by a space object. The quake was detected in 2021 by instruments attached to the InSight lander, a Mars explorer operated by NASA. While seismic activity on Earth causes earthquakes, scientists refer to similar activity on Mars as “marsquakes.”

NASA estimated that the largest marsquake had a magnitude of 4.7. Although this level of earthquake would not be considered significant on Earth, it possesses considerable power on the Martian surface. Marsquakes occur when the Martian soil experiences intense pressure, leading to the breaking of rock structures. The InSight lander has so far detected over 1,300 marsquakes using a seismometer designed to be highly sensitive to the Martian environment.

To determine whether a marsquake is caused by seismic activity or an external force, researchers examine various factors. In the case of the strongest recorded marsquake, an international team of scientists, led by researchers from the University of Oxford, searched for evidence of a crater resulting from a large meteorite impact. Scientists from European, Chinese, Indian, and Emirati space agencies also participated in the study.

The team analyzed satellite data collected by InSight and other space agencies but found no new, larger crater that could be attributed to the 4.7 marsquake. As a result, they concluded that the quake was caused by powerful “tectonic forces” operating within Mars, suggesting that the planet is more seismically active than previously believed.

According to Benjamin Fernando, a professor of physics at Oxford University and the study’s lead researcher, Mars does not exhibit ongoing tectonic movements. Instead, the team believes that the largest marsquake was the result of stress release within Mars’ crust, influenced by billions of years of planetary development, including cooling and shrinking of different parts at varying speeds.

This finding represents a significant advancement in understanding Martian seismic activity and brings scientists closer to unraveling the planet’s tectonic processes, as stated by Constantinos Charalambous, a planetary scientist at Imperial College London who co-led the research.

The outcome of this study could have future implications for human colonization of Mars. Understanding the distribution of stresses on the planet’s surface will contribute to identifying safe areas for human settlement. Further research will help scientists delve into the mysteries of Mars and enhance our knowledge of its geological dynamics.

Sources:
– Reuters
– University of Oxford
– NASA

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