A team of researchers, led by the University of Oxford in collaboration with international space agencies, has determined that Mars’ largest-ever recorded seismic event, known as S1222a, was not the result of a meteorite impact but rather the outcome of significant tectonic forces within the planet’s crust. This discovery unveils the possibility of Mars being more seismically active than previously understood, which could bear consequences for future endeavors related to Mars habitation. The findings, published on October 17 in the Geophysical Research Letters journal, shed light on this seismic enigma.
Background of the Marsquake Event
S1222a, boasting a magnitude of 4.7 and an astonishing duration of over six hours, was detected by NASA’s InSight lander on May 4, 2022. Initially, due to its seismic signature resembling previous meteoroid impact-induced quakes, the team suspected that this event, dubbed ‘S1222a,’ might have resulted from an impact and subsequently initiated a global quest for evidence of a newly formed crater.
Despite Mars being smaller than Earth, its land surface area is comparable, lacking oceans. In order to comprehensively survey this vast expanse spanning 144 million square kilometers, Dr. Benjamin Fernando, the lead investigator from the University of Oxford’s Department of Physics, sought contributions from an international consortium comprising the European Space Agency, the Chinese National Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation, and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency. This unprecedented collaboration marked the first instance of all Mars-orbiting missions uniting for a singular scientific endeavor.
The Quest for Impact Evidence
During its mission on Mars, InSight, a project co-designed by the University of Oxford, recorded no fewer than eight marsquake events attributable to meteoroid impacts, with the two largest forming craters approximately 150 meters in diameter. If S1222a were the result of an impact, the anticipated crater size would have been at least 300 meters in diameter. Each participating agency scrutinized data from their Martian satellites in search of a fresh crater or any other telltale signs of an impact, such as the emergence of a dust cloud in the aftermath of the quake.
After several months of meticulous investigation, the team officially confirmed the absence of a new crater. Consequently, they conclude that this seismic event stemmed from the release of colossal tectonic forces within Mars’ interior. This revelation underscores that Mars’ seismic activity surpasses prior estimations.
Dr. Benjamin Fernando remarked, “This project represents a substantial international endeavor to unravel the mystery of S1222a, and I express my profound gratitude to all the missions that contributed. I hope this project sets a precedent for fruitful international collaborations in deep space.”
Dr. Fernando continued, “Although Mars lacks active plate tectonics today, this event likely arose from stress release within Mars’ crust. These stresses result from billions of years of planetary evolution, including variations in the cooling and shrinking rates of different regions. While we still lack a complete understanding of why certain areas of the planet exhibit greater stresses than others, findings like these propel our ongoing investigations. One day, this knowledge may guide decisions regarding safe human habitation on Mars and areas to avoid.”
Expert Insights on the Discovery
Dr. Daniela Tirsch, Science Coordinator for the High-Resolution Stereo Camera aboard the European Space Agency’s Mars Express Spacecraft, emphasized the importance of maintaining a diverse array of instruments on Mars and expressed satisfaction at having contributed to this multifaceted, international research effort.
From China, Dr. Jianjun Liu, National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, expressed willingness to collaborate with scientists worldwide in utilizing scientific data to deepen our understanding of Mars, noting their contribution of data from the color imagers on Tianwen-1 to this endeavor.
Dr. Dimitra Atri, Group Leader for Mars at New York University Abu Dhabi and contributor of data from the UAE’s Hope Spacecraft, celebrated the opportunity to collaborate with the InSight team and other major missions dedicated to Mars exploration, heralding it as the “golden age of Mars exploration.”
Concluding Remarks and Future Endeavors
S1222a, one of the last events documented by InSight before the conclusion of its mission in December 2022, now serves as a foundational pillar for future research, including upcoming missions to the Moon and Saturn’s moon, Titan. This groundbreaking discovery has opened new avenues for understanding Mars’ geological activity and its potential implications for future human exploration.
Reference: “A Tectonic Origin for the Largest Marsquake Observed by InSight” by Benjamin Fernando, Ingrid J. Daubar, Constantinos Charalambous, Peter M. Grindrod, Alexander Stott, Abdullah Al Ateqi, Dimitra Atri, Savas Ceylan, John Clinton, Matthew Fillingim, Ernest Hauber, Jonathon R. Hill, Taichi Kawamura, Jianjun Liu, Antoine Lucas, Ralph Lorenz, Lujendra Ojha, Clement Perrin, Sylvain Piqueux, Simon Stähler, Daniela Tirsch, Colin Wilson, Natalia Wójcicka, Domenico Giardini, Philippe Lognonné and W. Bruce Banerdt, 17 October 2023, Geophysical Research Letters. DOI: 10.1029/2023GL103619
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Marsquake Discovery
What was the cause of the largest-ever recorded Marsquake, S1222a?
The largest-ever recorded Marsquake, S1222a, was not caused by a meteorite impact but instead resulted from significant tectonic forces within Mars’ crust.
When and how was S1222a detected?
S1222a was detected by NASA’s InSight lander on May 4, 2022. It had a magnitude of 4.7 and lasted for over six hours. Its seismic signature initially resembled meteoroid impact-induced quakes.
What were the initial suspicions about S1222a’s cause?
Initially, there were suspicions that S1222a might have been caused by a meteorite impact due to its seismic signal resembling previous impact-induced quakes.
How did international space agencies contribute to the research?
International collaboration involved space agencies such as the European Space Agency, the Chinese National Space Agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation, and the United Arab Emirates Space Agency, all contributing to the study.
What were the key findings of the research?
The research concluded that S1222a was not the result of an impact but rather the release of tectonic forces within Mars’ interior, indicating greater seismic activity on Mars than previously thought.
What are the implications of this discovery for Mars exploration?
This discovery has significant implications for future Mars exploration, especially for understanding the planet’s geological activity and its potential impact on future human missions and habitation.
How does this research contribute to the broader field of planetary science?
The research provides valuable insights into Mars’ geological processes, enhancing our understanding of planetary geology and potentially influencing future space missions to other celestial bodies.
What are the next steps or future directions for this research?
The findings from S1222a will inform future research, including missions to the Moon and Saturn’s moon, Titan, with the aim of advancing our knowledge of planetary seismology and geology.
2 comments
big marsquake, not meteorite, wow! More shakes on Mars?
Economics angle? Mars real estate booming?