Electrical conductivity and seismic velocity of the martian mantle: Signatures of large meteorite impacts

Kurzfassung

In the early stage of its evolution, Mars has experienced many very large meteorite impacts that left craters or basins as visible surface structures. These structures are often also associated with gravity and magnetic anomalies and identifiable on global maps. However, information derived from these data is ambiguous, but other geophysical methods, e.g., seismics and electromagnetic imaging has not yet been applied to such a target. In this study, we revisit the results from numerical mantle convection models that were coupled with a petrological model of the martian mantle and attempt to calculate electrical conductivity and seismic bulk velocity distributions. We discuss the potential of electromagnetic and seismic observations for detecting or ascertaining impact structures, for clarifying the properties of their subsurface, and for the general characterization of the deep interior of Mars. The InSight seismometer and magnetometer may offer opportunities to test some of the predictions.