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We analyzed the seismological data collected by the InSight mission, which landed on Mars in November 2018, in order to reveal the first tens of meters of the subsurface structure underneath the landing site. Here, we performed horizontal-to-vertical analysis (H/V) for different wind-dependent noise periods and for martian seismic events data (marsquakes). The final H/V curve presents a characteristic trough at 2.4 Hz and a strong peak at 8 Hz. We inverted this H/V curve for the 1D shear-wave velocity structure at the InSight landing site. Based on our inversion results, we propose a strong site effect at the InSight site to be due to the presence of a shallow high-velocity layer (SHVL) over low-velocity units. The SHVL is likely placed below a layer of coarse blocky ejecta and can be associated with Early Amazonian basaltic lava flows. The units below the SHVL have lower velocities, possibly related to a Late Hesperian or Early Amazonian epoch with a different magmatic regime and/or a greater impact rate and more extensive weathering. An extremely weak buried low-velocity layer (bLVL) between these lava flows explains the data around the 2.4 Hz trough, whereas a more competent bLVL would not generate this latter feature. These subsurface models are in good agreement with results from hammering experiments and compliance measurements at the InSight landing site. Finally, this site effect is revealed only by seismic events data and it explains the larger horizontal than vertical ground motion recorded for some marsquakes.

AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, 9-13 December 2019, The SEIS seismometer package was successfully deployed on Mars by February 2019. Routine operations are split into two services: the Mars Structure Service (MSS) and the Marsquake Service (MQS), which are responsible for defining interior structure models and seismicity catalogs, respectively. Initial model delivery from MSS is based on a limited dataset of two Marsquakes with a clear P and S arrivals. Different inversion algorithms were developed by the MSS team in order to retrieve the first 1D averaged model of Mars. Two complementary approaches are considered. One set of models (called M1) is parameterized in seismic velocity and density as a function of depth. A second set of models (called M2) is obtained by parameterizing with geodynamical constraints like temperature and composition. We use Bayesian inversion techniques to obtain robust probability density functions of seismic velocity profiles. Different types of data are considered for these inversions including body waves, surface waves and receiver functions. To characterize what we could learn about Mars¿ interior structure with only one station and with the first seismic event, we performed inversions of synthetic data following a blind test process, where the interior model and the Marsquake parameters (location, depth, origin time, and moment tensor) were unknown to all team members carrying out data analysis and inversion. In this presentation we will discuss the results of this blind test in terms of structure and compare different methods developed by the MSS. We will then show results from investigations of the first, real seismic data due to quakes on Mars recorded by SEIS in terms of the structure and quake locations. We will especially focus our investigation on joint inversions made not only with the arrival time, but also with secondary seismic data extracted from the detected events, including apparent attenuation rate and with receiver functions. Of course, much more detailed analysis will be made if Mars seismicity provide us in the near future larger quakes with body wave phases and first orbit surface wave dispersion, and/or one event large enough to record multiple orbit surface waves, and will augment future interiors models of Mars.

AGU Fall Meeting 2019 in San Francisco , 9-13 December 2019, EIS/InSIght team, InSight is the first planetary mission with a seismometer package, SEIS, since the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package. SEIS is complimented by APSS, which has as a goal to document the atmospheric source of seismic noise and signals. Since June 2019, SEIS has been delivering 6 axis 20 sps continuous seismic data, a rate one order of magnitude larger originally planned. More than 50 events have been detected by the end of July 2019 but only three have amplitudes significantly above the SEIS instrument requirement. Two have clear and coherent arrivals of P and S waves, enabling location, diffusion/attenuation characterization and receiver function analysis. The event¿s magnitudes are likely ¿ 3 and no clear surface waves nor deep interior phases have been identified. This suggests deep events with scattering along their final propagation paths and with large propagation differences as compared to Earth and Moon quakes. Most of the event¿s detections are made possible due to the very low noise achieved by the instrument installation strategy and the very low VBB self-noise. Most of the SEIS signals have amplitudes of spectral densities in the 0.03-5Hz frequency bandwidth ranging from 10-10 m/s2/Hz1/2 to 5 10-9 m/s2/Hz1/2. The smallest noise levels occurs during the early night, with angstrom displacements or nano-radian tilts. This monitors the elastic and seismic interaction of a planetary surface with its atmosphere, illustrated not only by a wide range of SEIS signals correlated with pressure vortexes, dust devils or wind activity but also by modulation of resonances above 1 Hz, amplified by ultra-low velocity surface layers. After about one half of a Martian year, clear seasonal changes appear also in the noise, which will be discussed. One year after landing, the seismic noise is therefore better and better understood, and noise correction techniques begun to be implemented, either thanks to the APSS wind and pressure sensors, or by SEIS only data processing techniques. These data processing techniques open not only the possibility of better signal to noise ratio of the events, but are also used for various noise auto-correlation techniques as well as searches of long period signals. Noise and seismic signals on Mars are therefore completely different from what seismology encountered previously on Earth and Moon.

EGU General Assembly in Viena, Austria,7–12 April 2019, 26th, 2018, including a broadband and a short-period seismometer (Seismic Experiment for Interior Structure, SEIS). The seismic instrument package is specifically designed to record marsquakes and meteoritic impacts in Martian conditions. Routine operations are split into two services: the Mars Structure Service (MSS) and the Marsquake Service (MQS), which are responsible for defining structure models and seismicity catalogs, respectively. The first “deliverable” of the MSS will be a model based on the events detected during the first 3 months of seismic monitoring of the mission, for which only a few quakes might be expected based on current estimates of Mars seismic activity. To test our approach of determining the interior model of Mars and to prepare the InSight science team for data return, we made use of a “blind test” time series for which the Marsquake parameters (location, depth, origin time, and moment tensor) and interior model were unknown to the group at large. In preparation for the mission, the goal was to develop mature algorithms to handle the data as efficiency as possible. Synthetic seismic waveforms were computed in a 1D mantle model with a 3D crust on top using AxiSEM and Salvus. The time series were created by adding seismic noise that relies on pre-landing estimates of noise generated by the sensors, electronic system, environment, and nearby lander. To characterize what we could learn about Mars interior structure with only one station and with the first seismic event, we performed inversions of a synthetic data following a blind test process, where the interior model was unknown to all team members carrying out data analysis and inversion. We detail and compare the results of this “blind test” using different methods including inversion of surface wave dispersion data, body waves travel times, and the waveforms themselves.We have used mainly Bayesian techniques to obtain robust probability density functions of interior structure parameters. The effects on the retrieved model distributions of fixing mars quake location and origin time are investigated, as is the effect of using fixed Vs flexible parameterizations. To allow for tighter constraints, we also test the use of priors based on thermodynamicallyconstrained models together with seismic observations, as well as seismic confirmation/rejection of models purely based on thermodynamical modelling. These techniques considered here form a large part of the planned modeling of the MSS that will be ultimately employed with the first recording of a seismic event by InSight.

SEIS, the seismometer of the InSight mission, which landed on Mars on November 26th, 2018, is monitoring the seismic activity of the planet. The goal of the Mars Structure Service (MSS) is to provide, as a mission product, the first average 1‐D velocity model of Mars from the recorded InSight data. Prior to the mission, methodologies have been developed and tested to allow the location of the seismic events and estimation of the radial structure, using surface waves and body waves arrival times, and receiver functions. The paper describes these validation tests and compares the performance of the different algorithms to constrain the velocity model below the InSight station and estimate the 1‐D average model over the great circle path between source and receiver. These tests were performed in the frame of a blind test, during which synthetic data were inverted. In order to propagate the data uncertainties on the output model distribution, Bayesian inversion techniques are mainly used. The limitations and strengths of the methods are assessed. The results show the potential of the MSS approach to retrieve the structure of the crust and underlying mantle. However at this time, large quakes with clear surface waves have not yet been recorded by SEIS, which makes the estimation of the 1‐D average seismic velocity model challenging. Additional locatable events, especially at large epicentral distances, and development of new techniques to fully investigate the data, will ultimately provide more constraints on the crust and mantle of Mars., Earth and Space Science, 7 (12), ISSN:2333-5084