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Estimation of Apparent Surface Wave Q-Value on Mars Using the Marsquake Event S1222a

Yuan, D., Yu, M., Meng, H., et al. — Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 2026

In Preparation

Mars SeismologyPlanetary GeophysicsSurface Wave AttenuationInSightMarsquake

Abstract

Mars is the terrestrial planet most analogous to Earth, and constraints on its seismic attenuation (quality factor Q) inform the composition, thermal state, and water content of its crust and mantle. The marsquake S1222a, recorded by NASA's InSight mission, is the largest Martian seismic event detected to date and the first on which Rayleigh and Love surface waves have been distinctly identified. Using the multi-orbit Rayleigh waves R1 and R2 of S1222a in the 0.02-0.06 Hz band, we apply phase-matched filtering and an R1/R2 amplitude-ratio method to estimate the apparent surface-wave Q of the shallow Martian crust, first validating the approach on Earth's AK135 velocity model and terrestrial seismic records. For the Martian data, within the 25.0-26.0 s period window, we obtain averaged apparent Q values of 710 (from R1) and 734 (from R2); comparative tests on the R2 sub-phases yield consistent results. These apparent Q values imply an intrinsic attenuation factor exceeding 734 at 25-26 s periods, an attenuation level between that of Earth and the Moon and consistent with prior coda-wave studies. By exploiting multi-orbit surface waves, this amplitude-ratio method mitigates the limitations of single-station observation and offers new seismological constraints on the internal structure and water content of Mars.

Status: In preparation; targeting Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. Not yet submitted.

Contribution: Co-author. Responsible for data analysis and manuscript writing and revision.

Significance: Planetary seismology represents the frontier of geophysical research. This study extends Earth-based seismic attenuation methods to another planet, demonstrating the generalizability of geophysical inversion frameworks and contributing to NASA InSight mission science.

Figures

Source-station geometry for the S1222a marsquake (red star: epicenter; blue triangle: InSight lander) and phase-matched-filtered R1/R2/R3 Rayleigh surface-wave arrivals used to estimate the apparent Q-value of the Martian crust.
Figure 1. Source-station geometry for the S1222a marsquake (red star: epicenter; blue triangle: InSight lander) and phase-matched-filtered R1/R2/R3 Rayleigh surface-wave arrivals used to estimate the apparent Q-value of the Martian crust.
Apparent Q estimates from R1/R2 amplitude ratios across the 17-50 s period band (a-b), with (c) a zoomed view of the 25-26 s window used for the final estimate (mean Q = 710 for R1, 734 for R2).
Figure 2. Apparent Q estimates from R1/R2 amplitude ratios across the 17-50 s period band (a-b), with (c) a zoomed view of the 25-26 s window used for the final estimate (mean Q = 710 for R1, 734 for R2).
Method validation on Earth: (a) source-station paths for the terrestrial events used to test the approach, (b-c) example R1/R2 waveforms, and (d) recovered Q-values matching the theoretical AK135 prediction.
Figure 3. Method validation on Earth: (a) source-station paths for the terrestrial events used to test the approach, (b-c) example R1/R2 waveforms, and (d) recovered Q-values matching the theoretical AK135 prediction.
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