Scientists discover a massive heat anomaly deep inside Mars
Mars has a hidden temperature divide, with its southern interior potentially hundreds of degrees hotter than the north and partially molten. The discovery could help explain several long-standing Martian mysteries, including unusual magnetism, seismic behavior, and clues to the planet’s ancient water history.
Scientists have uncovered a significant temperature imbalance deep within Mars, with the planet's southern interior proving to be considerably hotter than its northern half. According to gravity measurements, the interior beneath Mars's southern hemisphere is between 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the north, and may even be partially molten. This discovery offers fresh insights into Mars' geologic past, potentially revealing periods when the planet might have hosted environments conducive to life.
The study, led by Caltech alumnus Alexander Berne, a postdoctoral associate at the University of Arizona, was published in Nature on August 27. Berne, who developed a model using subtle variations in gravity to estimate planetary interiors, and his team analyzed data from three Mars missions: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. They utilized a technique called tidal tomography to analyze these gravitational signatures over time, creating a model of Mars' internal structure.
While scientists typically presume planetary bodies are generally spherical, this study reveals that Mars' interior structure is far more complex. The findings suggest a thermal anomaly in the southern hemisphere, which could provide clues to several other mysterious aspects of Mars. This includes unusual magnetic signatures in iron-rich minerals found in the south, and the rapid loss of energy in seismic waves in the southern region, which could be attributed to higher temperatures.
The dichotomy between the north and south hemispheres of Mars, where the south is characterized by tall mountains and heavily cratered terrain, while the north consists of broad, low-lying plains, seems to extend below the surface. This temperature difference could shed light on Mars' hydrology, including the formation of water-holding basins.
However, the exact cause of the thermal anomaly remains uncertain, with several hypotheses under consideration, such as a giant impact releasing heat from the north, spontaneous convection within the southern mantle, or thick geological structures trapping heat.
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