Potential Pitfalls in the Analysis and Structural Interpretation of Seismic Data from the Mars InSight Mission

Area of Science:

• Planetary Science
• Seismology
• Geophysics

Background:

• The Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure (SEIS) on Mars's InSight mission provides crucial data on the planet's interior.
• Martian seismic recordings are affected by unique ambient noise and sensor/spacecraft coupling, differing significantly from Earth-based data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize knowledge on idiosyncratic signals impacting Martian seismic data.
• To illustrate how these signals manifest in waveforms and noise correlations.
• To highlight potential pitfalls in structural interpretations using standard seismic analysis.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of transient signals (glitches) and sustained, frequency-varying signals (lander modes).
• Examination of signal manifestation in ambient noise correlations and waveforms.
• Comparison of Martian seismic data with terrestrial seismic analysis methods.

Main Results:

• Glitches and lander modes can create artifacts in ambient noise correlations, potentially biasing interpretations of subsurface layering.
• Nonseismic signals contaminate seismic results, necessitating careful signal processing.
• The 2.4 Hz resonance's spectral structure and origin remain debated.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the physical origins of nonseismic signals is crucial for accurate high-fidelity ground motion waveform extraction.
• Best practices are provided to improve the robustness of structural interpretations from Martian seismic data.
• Further research is needed to fully understand all idiosyncratic signals, such as the 2.4 Hz resonance.