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Mars Geoscience

Studying the structure and evolution of the Red Planet.

Image: the largest ever fresh-ice-exposing crater detected on Mars. Published in Science, 2022, with SSTC researchers.

This research theme studies the structure and evolution of Mars using the impact cratering process. Our team uses numerical impact simulations, remote sensing, geological mapping, and meteorite analysis using various analytical techniques. Research includes expertise in understanding the origin and location of water/water ice on Mars, and the Martian planetary evolution overall.

Our researchers have been active on the NASA InSight mission, conducting detailed mapping of the interior of Mars using impacts and seismology. We are also engaged with the Mars 2020 mission, focusing on the geochemistry and structure of the local and regional geology. Head to Mission Involvement to learn more about our connection to space missions.

This theme includes SSTC researchers: Associate Professor Katarina Miljkovic, Professor Gretchen Benedix, Dr Eriita Jones, Dr Lucy Forman, Dr Aaron Cavosie, and Dr Joshua Hedgepeth.