Mars southern hemisphere mantle found to be significantly warmer than north

Research led by scientists from the University of Arizona has revealed a significant thermal disparity within the interior of Mars. According to a study published in the journal Nature, the mantle in the southern hemisphere may be between 200 °C and 400 °C warmer than the northern hemisphere, with some areas potentially partially molten.

To map this internal structure, researchers utilized tidal tomography, analyzing gravitational data collected over decades by the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions. This method measures subtle variations in spacecraft velocity caused by oscillations in the Martian gravitational field. The identified thermal contrast mirrors the known surface asymmetry, where the south is characterized by high mountains and deep craters, while the north consists of smoother, low-lying plains.