The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

NASA probe detects possible ‘Marsquake’

NASA probe on Mars
Photo of the seismometer on board the NASA Mars probe NASA

A NASA probe exploring the rock structure of Mars using technology partly developed by Swiss scientists has transmitted signals back to Earth that resemble tremors, it has been reported.

The Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) said on WednesdayExternal link that the InSight NASA probe, which landed on Mars last November, had transmitted a series of “promising signals” from Mars to Earth.

“Researchers have interpreted a seismic event that reached Earth on April 6, 2019 as a possible Marsquake”, ETH Zurich said. A seismometer developed by the federal institute is onboard the unmanned NASA probe.

ETH Zurich said the signal supported the assumption that Mars is seismically active, but added that the signals are too quiet to give any idea of the inner geological structure of the planet beneath the crust.

This particular signal appears to have come from within the planet, but it is unclear what caused the quake. To the surprise of scientists, the seismic activity of Mars had more in common with a tremor on the moon rather than on Earth. 

InSight (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport) is the first mission dedicated to studying the rock structure of Mars. It is due to last two years – one Martian year – and aims to improve understanding of how rocky planets including Earth are formed and develop.

More
​​​​​​​

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

'Leopard 1 A5' combat tanks in Germany.

More

Switzerland eyes joining EU rearmament programme

This content was published on The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.

Read more: Switzerland eyes joining EU rearmament programme
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

More

Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day

This content was published on On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.

Read more: Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
Industry calls for "lean implementation" of the EU treaty package

More

Swiss industry backs EU treaty package

This content was published on The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.

Read more: Swiss industry backs EU treaty package

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR