JAKARTA - Scientists finally found out what caused the earthquake on Mars on December 24, 2021, which was the largest meteor ever witnessed in the Solar System.
NASA's InSight lander recorded a magnitude 4 earthquake (M) last year, but scientists have only learned of what caused the earthquake, which is in the form of a meteoroid shock that is thought to be one of the largest seen on Mars since NASA began exploring the cosmos.
The explosion caused a large crater with an estimated width of almost 500 feet with a depth of 70 feet. There is also a chunk of ice the size of a rock that surrounds the crater.
Scientists determined the quake was generated from the impact of meteoroids when they looked at images before and after NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) and saw a new volatile crater.
"The image of the collision is not what I've seen before, with a large crater, open ice, and a dramatic explosion zone preserved in Martian dust," said Orbital Science and Operations Group leader at MSSSS, Liliya Posiolova.
"I can't help but imagine what it's like to witness the impacts, atmospheric explosions, and debris that are thrown down the miles down," he added.
The events and effects were detailed in two papers published Thursday last week in the journal Science.
With seismic images and data documenting the event, it is believed to be one of the largest craters ever witnessed to form any place in the Solar System.
Many of the larger craters are on the Red Planet, but they are significantly older and ahead of any Mars mission.
Setting the level of crater emergence on Mars is essential to perfecting the planet's geological timeline. The new crater also exposes material beneath the surface.
Meanwhile, the subsurface ice will be a vital resource for astronauts, which can be used for various needs, including drinking water, agriculture, and rocket propellants.
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