【I Want To Be The First Guy】

Quakes shake Mars all the time. But many of these temblors originate in outer space.

NASA's InSight lander recorded over 1,I Want To Be The First Guy300 marsquakes between 2018 and 2022, including some monster temblors. Now, a novel analysis paired imagery captured by Mars-orbiting spacecraft with these unprecedented seismic detections to show that impacts on Mars aren't just common — they also commonly shake the Red Planet.

"Not one, but two recent related papers in the Geophysical Research Lettersscientific journal suggest that quite a few of the seismic events recorded by InSight, previously thought to originate from tectonic sources, could actually be caused by meteor strikes," the European Space Agency said in a statement.

---

You May Also Like

---

---

SEE ALSO: NASA spotted a big asteroid that may hit Earth — what you should know

The researchers used machine-learning technology to sleuth through a daunting load of imagery from three different spacecraft to find 49 quakes that match with impacts recorded by the InSight lander (which deployed a dome-shaped seismometer on the Martian ground). Ultimately, the researchers concluded that such meteor strikes happen on Mars some 1.5 to 2.5 times more than previous observations suggested.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

The image below, taken by the European Space Agency's Trace Gas Orbiter (which arrived at Mars in 2016), shows one of the fresh impacts that researchers say stoked a marsquake. The space rock struck some 1,640 kilometers, or 1,020 miles away, but produced a sizable 21-meter (69-foot) wide crater and blasted impact eject around the area.

A relatively recent impact site in the Cerberus Fossae region of Mars. Credit: ESA On top: Two large impact sites spotted by Mars-orbiting spacecraft (including the 21-meter impact shown above). On bottom: 10 recently created impact sites larger than 10 meters across. Credit: ESA / TGO / CaSSIS CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO / NASA / JPL / University of Arizona / MSSS

Mars is far more susceptible to meteorite impacts than Earth. When objects do collide with Mars, the Martian atmosphere is just 1 percent the volume of Earth's, meaning these space rocks are less likely to heat up and disintegrate. What's more, the Red Planet is much closer to our solar system's asteroid belt, a region teeming with millions of asteroids.

---

Related Stories

---

• Scientists discover a super-Earth. Something about it is strange.
• Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.
• The best telescopes for gazing at stars and solar eclipses in 2024
• Spacecraft makes daring approach of metal object in Earth's orbit
• If a scary asteroid will actually strike Earth, here's how you'll know

Understanding how meteors impact Mars is important to the space agencies, like NASA, planning to visit, and one day potentially colonize, the Red Planet. "Additional data on impact rates and crater sizes will help evaluate potential risks to robots, humans, and habitats during future Mars missions," the European Space Agency said.

Robotic missions continue to reveal lots about this frigid desert world, located an average of 140 million miles from Earth. NASA's Perseverance rover spotted potential — but still far from conclusive — past evidence of ancient microbial Martian life. Perseverance's sibling, the Curiosity rover, has found compelling evidence that Mars once hosted warm, hospitable, watery environs. And the InSight lander revealed that water may exist today many miles down, deeply hidden in the Martian crust.

• Tech
• Games
• Life
• Science
• Social Good
• Deals
• Digital Culture
• Entertainment

• Walking Away from Omelas
• Samsung Galaxy AI features leak ahead of Unpacked 2025
• Best gift card deal: Buy a $100 Macy's gift card and get a free $10 Best Buy gift card
• X and Bluesky are rolling out vertical videos
• Stormbound
• Best speaker deal: Save $20 on Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
• Best free crypto courses
• New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
• Rites of Power
• NASA built new tires for Mars. They're nothing like your tires.

• Bluesky reveals early look at Bluesky+, its subscription service
• NYT Strands hints, answers for December 10
• TikTok requests emergency injunction to delay U.S. ban
• Best Apple iPad deal: Save $70 on Apple iPad 10th Gen at Best Buy
• 4 gadgets to upgrade your beauty routine
• X got a new AI image generator called Aurora
• Astronomers wonder if galaxies are falling into this giant black hole
• 'Nightbitch' does more than explore motherhood. It celebrates body hair.
• Review bombing hits McDonald's after UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect arrest
• Get the latest Kindle Paperwhite for $25 off at Amazon and Best Buy

• The Tarot of Alejandro Jodorowsky
• Best AirPods deal: Get $15 off Apple AirPods 4
• Best soundbar deal: The Sonos Arc is just $649.99 at Best Buy
• Amtrak deal: Save on travel from Feb. 1 through March 31
• Let’s Do It, Pruitt!
• Reddit sports mods, users calling for a ban on X links in posts
• Trump admin deletes all LGBTQ pages on White House site
• Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
• Malls and movies and drones, oh my.
• Best QLED TV deal: Save $430 on Samsung 85

• Retirement, Brought to You by Prisons, Inc.
• Portland Trail Blazers vs. Miami Heat 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
• Best Xbox Elite Series 2 deal: Save $32 on this pro
• Best Garmin deal: Save $34 on Garmin Forerunner 55
• Looking for Twin Peaks
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for January 21: Tips to solve Connections #120
• Notre Dame vs. Ohio State 2025 livestream: Watch College Football Playoff Championship
• NASA built new tires for Mars. They're nothing like your tires.
• The Tarot of Alejandro Jodorowsky
• Wordle today: The answer and hints for January 20, 2025