The Martian Dichotomy Explained
exhibits a stark contrast between its northern lowlands and southern highlands, with the latter being significantly higher and older, featuring more craters and volcanic lava flows. This dichotomy also extends to differences in crust thickness and magnetic properties of the rocks.
The southern highlands' elevation and crater density suggest it is older and has a more complex geological history compared to the smooth, flat northern lowlands, which may have once harbored a vast ocean of liquid water.
Investigating the Origin
Two main hypotheses—endogenic (internal) and exogenic (external)—have been proposed to explain the Martian dichotomy. The endogenic hypothesis attributes the difference to internal heat flow, while the exogenic hypothesis points to catastrophic impacts from space.
Recent studies utilizing data from 's InSight lander have provided new insights, suggesting that the origin of the Martian dichotomy lies deep within Mars, challenging previous theories that favored external cosmic events. This research underscores the planet's complex internal processes.