Recent studies utilizing orbital data reveal that Mars' gravitational behavior reflects significant long-term ice accumulation, surpassing crustal displacement effects. Only three of 84 models align with observed gravitational signals, suggesting a viscous Martian interior influenced by a cooler temperature and concentrated radioactive elements within the crust. This provides insights into the age of Mars' polar ice cap, estimated to be less than 10 million years old, and emphasizes the importance of integrating diverse data sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of Mars' geological history and internal structure.
The orbital changes observed indicate that the increase in gravitational potential from long-term ice accumulation outweighs the decline from crustal displacement, hinting at the Martian interior's complexities.
Of the 84 models tested, only three adhered to the necessary constraints, revealing a viscous Martian interior and suggesting that heat-generating radioactive elements are concentrated in the crust.
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