Scientists Unravel 50-Year-Old Mystery of Mars' Surface Dichotomy

A recent study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters has provided insights into the "Martian dichotomy," a phenomenon that describes the stark differences between the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars. The northern lowlands are about 5-6 kilometers lower than the highlands in the south, and the crust there is notably thinner.

Researchers suggest that this divide may stem from internal heat transfer within Mars itself, rather than the effects of external collisions, which had been a popular theory. Utilizing data from NASA's InSight lander and analyzing marsquake data, the study indicates that Mars may have once had moving tectonic plates similar to those on Earth. This movement could have contributed to the formation of the dichotomy before the tectonic activity ceased, creating a "stagnant lid" over the planet's molten interior.

The study also highlights the concept of mantle convection, which involves heat from the planet's interior influencing the crust over millions of years. The findings are further supported by geochemical analysis of Martian meteorites, offering insights into Mars' composition and thermal history.

While the researchers believe they have made significant strides in understanding the dichotomy, they stress the need for additional data on future marsquakes and further comparative studies to fully validate their theory.