Science & Futurism with Isaac Arthur Could We Nuke Mars’ Core to Restart Its Spin? | New Insights on Martian Interior (Narration Only)
Nov 18, 2025
Can we revive Mars' magnetic field? Discover how new seismic data reveals the Red Planet's core dynamics. Explore the audacious idea of using nuclear devices to reignite its spin. Learn about Mars' smaller core that limits its dynamo strength and how thermal cooling extinguished its magnetic field. Delve into potential alternatives like artificial dynamos and the ethical considerations of terraforming Mars. Will humanity ever turn the Red Planet blue?
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Mars Has A Small But Layered Core
- InSight seismic data shows Mars has a small solid inner core and a liquid outer core, revealing a layered, still-dynamic interior.
- Mars' smaller, cooler, and less vigorously convecting outer core makes any restarted dynamo inherently weaker than Earth's.
Size And Spin Limit Mars' Dynamo
- Mars' smaller size and slower spin limit the potential strength of any magnetic field even if its dynamo restarted.
- A restored Martian dynamo would likely never match Earth's magnetosphere in magnitude or protection.
Stagnant Mantle Stifled Mars' Dynamo
- Mars cooled faster than Earth due to smaller size and stagnant mantle lacking plate tectonics, which suppressed global convection.
- A stratified core with sulfur-rich layers reduced convection and allowed the dynamo to fade over time.