Mars's southern hemisphere may be warmer and partially molten than the north
Researchers have discovered that the mantle in Mars's southern hemisphere is 200-400 degrees warmer than the north, and its internal structure may be partially molten.
An international research team has revealed that the mantle in Mars's southern hemisphere is 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the northern hemisphere, indicating that its internal structure may be partially molten.
Years of Gravity Data Analyzed
An international research team led by the University of Arizona and the California Institute of Technology in the US set out to examine Mars's internal structure. Decades of gravity data obtained from the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions were analyzed in depth.
High Temperature Detection in the Southern Hemisphere
As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the mantle beneath Mars's southern hemisphere is 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the northern hemisphere. It was evaluated that the high temperature at these depths indicates the mantle may be partially molten in some regions.
Assumption of Symmetry in Planetary Interior Structure
Dr. Alexander Berne, the lead author of the study, emphasized that three-dimensional internal structure maps of planets can be generated thanks to gravity data. Berne stated that scientists generally assume planetary interiors have a global symmetry, but they found that this is not always true.
Could Shed Light on Water History and Seismic Waves
It was reported that the findings could help explain the magnetic field differences in Mars's south and the seismic wave movements detected by NASA's InSight lander. Caltech researcher Amirhossein Bagheri, a co-author of the study, stated that the temperature imbalance may hold critical clues regarding Mars's past hydrological structure.
Possible Cause of the Temperature Difference
Scientists evaluated that this distinct temperature difference between the two hemispheres might have emerged as a result of a giant meteorite impact or thick geological structures trapping heat.