S1222a – The Largest Marsquake Detected by InSight


Date

2023-03-16

Publication Type

Journal Article

ETH Bibliography

yes

Citations

Altmetric

Data

Abstract

NASA’s InSight has detected a large magnitude seismic event, labelled S1222a. The event has a moment magnitude of M(Ma)(W)4.7, with 5 times more seismic moment compared to the second largest even. The event is so large that features are clearly observed that were not seen in any previously detected events. In addition to body phases and Rayleigh waves, we also see Love waves, minor arc surface wave overtones, and multi-orbit surface waves. At long periods, the coda event exceeds 10 hours. The event locates close to the North-South dichotomy and outside the tectonically active Cerberus Fossae region. S1222a does not show any evident geological or tectonic features. The event is extremely rich in frequency content, extending from below 1/30 Hz up to 35 Hz. The event was classified as a broadband type event; we also observe coda decay and polarization similar to that of very high frequency type events.

Publication status

published

Editor

Book title

Volume

50 (5)

Pages / Article No.

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Event

Edition / version

Methods

Software

Geographic location

Date collected

Date created

Subject

Mars; Seismology; InSight; Body waves; Surface waves; Tectonics

Organisational unit

03476 - Giardini, Domenico / Giardini, Domenico check_circle
02818 - Schweiz. Erdbebendienst (SED) / Swiss Seismological Service (SED) check_circle

Notes

Funding

ETH-06 17-2 - Exploring the shallow subsurface of Mars with seismic methods (ETHZ)

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