'A scary Mars secret': Some marsquakes are not techtonic, and that changes everything

Produced by: Manoj Kumar

Mars Shakes

[{"selector":"#anim-47e80d29-a486-44c8-8a80-0cc69d9f0dfd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(12.452948329255035%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] A new study reveals that Mars quakes penetrate deep, reshaping theories about its molten core and planetary evolution. Representative pic

Rock Smashes

[{"selector":"#anim-549708dc-a819-46df-a228-b44763375f91 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Meteorite strikes on Mars are 2.5x higher than thought, proving the Red Planet takes cosmic hits regularly. Representative pic

Seismic Surprises

[{"selector":"#anim-59231a93-882b-4913-8d97-74dc3f3179ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-22.12389380530973%, -0.3101168163304792%) scale(1.4424778761061947)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Some "marsquakes" aren't tectonic but come from meteoroid impacts, altering how we estimate Martian activity. Representative pic

Crater Clues

[{"selector":"#anim-48982fb6-d61d-4d64-bf32-2f088a5303f8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.93303557206786%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Researchers matched 49 quakes to specific impact craters, linking Mars' surface and seismic events like never before. Representative pic

Pudding Planet

[{"selector":"#anim-2e762f0c-41b3-48db-9d72-e4d4fe920952 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(31.332964450742125%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mars quivers like pudding as seismic waves ripple deep, changing how we map its hidden interior layers. Representative pic

Young Plains

[{"selector":"#anim-9bf1127b-1917-4f12-afd3-f8a5e5c5d0bf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(16.071428400767168%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Cerberus Fossae's seismic reputation may be flawed—high-frequency quakes there could actually be impacts. Representative pic

Seismic Highway

[{"selector":"#anim-c83dce19-35b8-4928-9a0f-a49c444aa2f9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(-3.552713678800501e-15%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Mars’ mantle allows seismic waves to travel far, revealing a hidden "highway" beneath its crust. Representative pic

Tenuous Shield

[{"selector":"#anim-e95ba9bd-15f1-401b-b12f-151e7f0e4aa5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Mars’ thin atmosphere can't shield it—making it a cosmic punching bag for meteoroids. Representative pic

Core Questions

[{"selector":"#anim-c5833f1b-2b5b-4817-83c1-a0507618649e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(4.6874998293385985%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Rethinking Mars’ seismic wave paths suggests its interior structure may have been misunderstood for decades. Representative pic

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