NASA’s InSight lander has provided new insights into the mysterious “Martian dichotomy,” a 50-year-old phenomenon that divides the planet into two distinct halves. The data suggests that ancient internal processes, including tectonic activity and temperature differences, may have caused the imbalance.
Researchers compared seismic wave recordings from marsquakes at two sites: one in each half of the dichotomy. They found that waves lost energy more quickly in the southern highlands, indicating a hotter, molten rock beneath. This supports the idea that internal forces, rather than an external impact, shaped the planet’s split.
The study proposes that ancient tectonic plates may have created the dichotomy through a process called “stagnant lid,” where magma is pushed up against the crust while sinking into the core. This would explain the thicker crust in the southern highlands and other geological features.
While more data and modeling are needed to confirm this theory, the study provides an important new piece of the puzzle. The team’s findings suggest that Mars’ internal forces may have played a key role in shaping its unique geology.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/mars/marsquakes-may-solve-50-year-old-mystery-about-the-red-planet