The strongest earthquake ever observed on another planet has been detected by NASA.
The magnitude 5 marsquake that took place on May 4, easily beat the previous record of 4.2 recorded by InSight in August last year. Scientists will be able to determine the exact location and nature of the natural event by studying it further. The hope is that it will give more information about the red planet.
On Monday, May 10, NASA reported the powerful marsquake on their account.
I felt my biggest Mars earthquake after three years of listening. The data is being studied by my team. Science rewards patience.
Felt that one‼️
After more than three years of listening to the soft rumbles of Mars, I just felt by far my biggest “marsquake” yet: looks like about magnitude 5. My team is studying the data to learn more. Science rewards patience!
More details: https://t.co/DKVy8tUrxU pic.twitter.com/bExr13Lkvw
— NASA InSight (@NASAInSight) May 9, 2022
Mars doesn't have the kind of plates that cause earthquakes. Marsquakes are caused by volcanic activity. Scientists are interested in studying Mars because the data can contribute to a better understanding of the red planet's mantle and core.
More than 1,300 earthquakes have been detected in the past three years on Mars. The seismometer operates under a dome that blocks the sound of the wind and protects it from the cold nights.
Bruce Banerdt, the principal investigator at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, commented on last week's marsquake. For years to come, scientists will be analyzing this data to learn more about Mars.
NASA reported that InSight is experiencing issues with martian dust that is covering its solar panels, leading to reduced efficiency. The robotic arm can trickle sand across the panels to remove dust. The landers has to be lucky to experience such a weather event. Dust is causing issues for NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, which last year became the first aircraft to perform powered, controlled flight on another planet.
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