Constraints for the Martian Crustal Structure From Rayleigh Waves Ellipticity of Large Seismic Events

Abstract

Abstract For the first time, we measured the ellipticity of direct Rayleigh waves at intermediate periods (15–35 s) on Mars using the recordings of three large seismic Martian events, including S1222a, the largest event recorded by the InSight mission. These measurements, together with P‐to‐s receiver functions and P‐wave reflection times, were utilized for performing a joint inversion of the local crustal structure at the InSight landing site. Our inversion results are compatible with previously reported intra‐crustal discontinuities around 10 and 20 km depths, whereas the preferred models show a strong discontinuity at ∼37 km, which is interpreted as the crust‐mantle interface. Additionally, we support the presence of a shallow low‐velocity layer of 2–3 km thickness. Compared to nearby regions, lower seismic wave velocities are derived for the crust, suggesting a higher porosity or alteration of the whole local crust.

Keywords

• martian crust
• marsquakes
• Rayleigh waves ellipticity
• receiver functions