‘Marsquake’: 10 interesting things about the Monster Quake on Mars – Times Now

InSights Wind and Thermal Shield, which covers its seismometer, which detected the Marsquake. (Courtesy: NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech)

Photo : Times Now Digital

New Delhi: Scientists have called for patience as the scientific teams analyse the data from the detection of the 'Monster Quake' on Mars. It could give us some of the most important insights, not just about the red planet but also about the origin and formation of Earth and Moon.

Here is what we know so far about the quake.

1 InSight lander, which landed on Mars in 2018 had recorded 1,313 quakes so far. However, this Monster Quake has been the largest ever recorded by any instrument there.

2 The Marsquakes unlike earthquakes are not caused by tectonic plates as Mars doesnt have them. The whole crust of Mars is a giant plate in itself so there is no clash of the plates. The tremors on Mars are caused by stress fractures or faults in its crust.

3 This Marsquake has been the largest ever recorded tremor on a planet other than earth, hence earning it the name of Monster Quake.

4 Scientists hope to find more data and learn more about the similarities or differences in the composition of Mars and Earth after the latest Marsquake. They are trying to learn what caused the two very similar planets to take two totally different paths 3 billion years ago where Earth can support life, while no solid evidence of the same on Mars.

5 The largest quake before this one was recorded on August 25, last year with a magnitude of 4.2. This is considered a medium-sized quake on earth.

6 The French seismometer equipped with the InSight was added for the study of data revealed by the Marsquakes themselves. The reflection of seismic waves from Mars mantle and surface and the nature of their reaction from the collision with the Mars surface after the quake, will tell us about the composition of the surface and help in understanding the science behind the formation of other rocky planetary bodies like moon and earth.

7 After the study of the quake, we will also be able to learn about its origin location, nature of its source, epicentre, cause, and what more can it tell us or what we need to study more about the red planet.

8 We might not be able to detect the next big quake as InSight is having trouble harnessing enough solar power to continue its functionalities uninterrupted because of dust layer deposition and weather patterns. It is the onset of winter on Mars, which means, there will be limited availability of the Sun. The lander will enter into safe mode and will shut down all its functions except emergency and essential.

9 Such magnitude on quakes happen half a million times every year on the Earth, however, on Mars, it is more than what the scientists had hoped for. But are happy since it gives more insight into the study of the planet.

10 Despite what might turn out to be one of the most crucial discoveries yet, InSight didnt go to Mars to detect tremors. It completed its prime mission on Mars back in 2020 and whatever it is doing since then has been on overtime till December 2022.

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'Marsquake': 10 interesting things about the Monster Quake on Mars - Times Now