Mars' Southern Hemisphere Is Hundreds of Degrees Hotter Underground, New Study Finds

A recent study published on August 26 in Nature indicates that the underground temperatures in Mars' southern hemisphere are significantly higher, ranging from 400 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit compared to the northern hemisphere. Conducted by researchers Alexander Berne from the University of Arizona and Nick Wagner from Brown University, the analysis utilized 16 years of data collected from three NASA missions: Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. The results imply that the southern region may contain partially molten material, which could account for the observed visual differences and magnetic anomalies in iron minerals. InSight data reveals that seismic waves travel more swiftly in the south, likely due to elevated temperatures. The reasons behind this temperature disparity remain under discussion, with theories suggesting a significant impact, core upwelling, or a thicker crust. Paul Byrne from Washington University raises questions about the volcanic province's positioning, while Wagner emphasizes the implications for the potential habitability of Mars.