Summary:
- The Martian surface is strikingly divided into two distinct hemispheres - the northern lowlands and the southern highlands. This dichotomy has puzzled scientists for decades.
- Recent analysis of seismic data from NASA's InSight lander has provided new insights into the formation of this hemispheric difference. The data suggests that the northern lowlands were formed by a massive impact event early in Mars' history.
- The impact event likely fractured the Martian crust and mantle, leading to the formation of the northern lowlands. This provides an explanation for the dramatic difference between the northern and southern hemispheres of Mars.