Impact - generated seismic signals on Mars

Meteorite impacts will be a key seismic source for probing Mars’ interior during the InSight mission. Maximising data exploitation requires a good understanding of impact-generated seismic ground motions (waves), which has been limited by a lack of observational data and the practical difficulty of replicating relevant martian impact conditions in experiments. The aim of this PhD project is to use numerical impact simulations to advance understanding of impact-generated seismic waves. Using a series of numerical experiments (e.g., Fig.1), we will: quantify the seismic wave signature of metre-scale impacts on Mars; determine the effect of surface properties (regolith, layering and presence of ice) on the seismic signals; provide a synthesis of the scaling of seismic efficiency with impactor and target properties; and compare model results with observed seismic signals. As InSight will land in November 2018, the research timeline will allow us to directly inform analysis of seismic signals recorded during the mission. It will also advance understanding of the environmental consequences of impacts on Earth and the resurfacing of small solar system bodies.