Article,
Planetary seismology
Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 33 (1): 571--604 (January 2005)
DOI: 10.1146/annurev.earth.33.092203.122604
Abstract
Contrary to Earth, the interior of terrestrial planets is poorly known.
This is mainly related to the lack of seismic data and of planetary
seismic networks on these planets. So far, despite several attempts,
only the Apollo Seismic Network has returned seismic information
from the Moon. But even in this case, very few seismic signals were
recorded after a propagation path through the deep interior and core
owing to a hemispheric distribution of the stations on the near side
and to a probably strongly attenuating lower mantle. This review
presents the main results achieved by the analysis of the Apollo
seismic data and the associated constraints on the internal structure
of the Moon. It then presents the current knowledge on the Martian
interior, the seismic activity of the planet, and possible source
of seismic noise. This information can be used for preparing future
Martian seismic network missions. A short review on existing space-qualified
instruments and on possible seismic missions toward other telluric
bodies, such as Venus, the giant planets' satellites, or small bodies,
is then given.
