SEIS: Listening for Marsquakes
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.
Create a Distant Legacy:
Send your name to Mars
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
