Recent research led by the University of Bristol has significantly advanced our understanding of Mars’ liquid core. Utilizing the first-ever detections of seismic waves, the study revealed that Mars’ core is denser, smaller, and composed of a mixture of iron and other elements, including sulfur, oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen. These insights, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, were made possible through data collected by NASA’s InSight lander, which captured seismic events from afar. Despite initial setbacks, including dust accumulation limiting power, the mission’s timeframe was extended, allowing researchers to analyze seismic waves that traveled through the planet’s core.
Key findings indicate that Mars’ core has a radius of approximately 1,780–1,810 km and includes a significant amount of light elements alloyed with iron, impacting theories about the planet’s formation and evolution compared to Earth. The research highlights the challenges of analyzing seismic data from within another planet and underscores the collaboration among global scientists. Dr. Jessica Irving emphasized the importance of these findings in reshaping our theories about Mars’ geological history. This study marks a critical breakthrough in understanding Martian dynamics, with potential implications for future planetary exploration.
