Study by Chinese, Australian researchers sheds light on Mars’ evolution

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Australian and Chinese researchers have made a breakthrough in unraveling the mystery of how the surface of Mars has evolved over billions of years.

Their recently published study focuses on seismic activity on Mars, with findings suggesting that “marsquakes” — tremors occurring on the planet — may offer crucial insights into the Martian landscape development over billions of years.

The study may also help explain the “Martian dichotomy,” a phenomenon marked by a sharp elevation difference of 5-6 kilometers (3.1–3.7 miles) between Mars’ northern and southern hemispheres.

According to the researchers, this striking contrast is likely caused by convection — the transfer of heat within the Martian mantle — over hundreds of millions or even billions of years.

Geophysicist Hrvoje Tkalcic, one of the researchers, described the dichotomy as “one of the biggest mysteries in the solar system.”

The study reveals that Mars’ southern hemisphere, a less explored region, is significantly hotter than its northern counterpart. This conclusion was drawn by analyzing marsquakes in the “southern highlands” and comparing them to the well-documented seismic activity in the northern hemisphere.

“Understanding whether convection is taking place offers clues into how Mars has evolved into its current state over billions of years,” Tkalcic said.