Lianjie Man and colleagues conducted high-pressure-temperature laboratory experiments to determine the crystal structure and density of the iron-sulphide phase in Mars’ core. The authors suggest that, should temperatures at the centre of Mars fall below approximately 1,960 Kelvin – which is within the estimated range for this area – the iron-sulphide phase could begin to crystallise and form a solid inner core.
Further geophysical measurements would be needed to confirm the actual presence of a solid Martian inner core. However, the work presented in this study supports the potential for a solid inner Martian core today, or in the near future once Mars has undergone further cooling.
Similar to Earth, the core of Mars is expected to be dominantly composed of molten iron metal. However, it is lower in density, indicating that the Martian core must contain a high abundance of additional lighter elements, such as sulphur.
