Mars Has a Warm Region Inside

A team at the University of Arizona and Brown University used tidal tomography to detect a heat anomaly in Mars's southern hemisphere mantle, which measures 200 to 400 degrees Celsius warmer than the surrounding regions. This anomaly may indicate the presence of partial melting beneath the surface, but it is likely blocked by the crust. The data were collected over 16 years by orbiters such as the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, showing seasonal tidal forcing effects. The anomaly is linked to changes in Mars's shape due to tidal bulges caused by its orbit around the Sun. The technique uses the speed changes of orbiters to estimate how Mars deforms, providing insights into its internal structure.

• The warm spot may be due to an ancient impact or the planet's long history, potentially influencing its geodynamic evolution.
• The southern hemisphere crust is thicker, which could have protected the mantle and kept it warmer.
• Future studies could help understand the thermal models and volcanic activity on Mars.

Tidal forcing shapes Mars, similar to how it affects Jupiter's moon Io and Earth. The technique of tidal tomography allows scientists to study the planet's interior without drilling into the surface. Measurements from orbiters continue to reveal how Mars deforms as it orbits the Sun. The anomaly is not the only region of interest; future studies could help constrain the interior of Ganymede, Jupiter's largest moon. Continued measurements of Mars's crustal dichotomy and tectonic activity will provide new insights into the planet's evolution.

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