2019 June 4
SEIS: Listening for Marsquakes
Image Credit:
NASA,
JPL-Caltech,
Mars Insight
Explanation:
If you put your ear to Mars, what would you hear?
To find out, and to explore the unknown interior of
Mars,
NASA's
Insight Lander
deployed
SEIS late last year, a sensitive
seismometer that can detect marsquakes.
In early April, after hearing the wind and motions
initiated by the lander itself, SEIS recorded an
unprecedented event
that matches what was expected for a
marsquake.
This event can be heard on
this YouTube video.
Although Mars is not thought to have
tectonic plates like the Earth,
numerous faults are visible on the Martian surface which likely occurred as the hot interior of Mars cooled -- and continues to
cool.
Were strong enough
marsquakes to occur,
SEIS could hear their rumbles reflected
from large structures internal to Mars, like a
liquid core, if one exists.
Pictured last week, SEIS
sits quietly on the Martian surface,
taking in some Sun while light
clouds are visible over the horizon.