So much for simple explanations, I guess.

As they acquire more data, they will come up with a more exact model for Mars interior structure. Of course it would really help if we had more stations, and maybe people there to maintain and operate them :-)

But then you’d have WAY more human-created seismic noise!

Is there another component that gets what’s leftover? That is, are crust, mantle, and core the only three layers? I see “inner” and “outer” broken out of “core” in some places.

But these numbers don’t add up: crust at 45 miles, mantle at 375 miles and core of 1300 miles diameter. All packed together you get “2 ( 45 + 375 ) + 1300” = 1720 miles across, coming up short of the real Mars at 4212 miles. My guess, the mantle is considerably thicker at about 1400 miles thick.

Didn’t we discuss dropping such probes, that collect heat measurements and seismic activity, “from space” so they can impell themselves at desired locations? A ribbon of flexible solar panel can keep the metal stake vertical until impact. Or maybe they should use feathers like an arrow and just protect the solar panel/broadcast instruments inside the hollow tube for protection and perform extraction after impact.

Sensitive equipment like temperature, barometer, fish eye lenses, communication capabilities can fit in a wrist watch. A small light unit in a helium mylar balloon with a solar panel top could drift around mars for years collecting data. In fact, the parachute, If it’s double layered, could be filled with helium after detachment, for this purpose. (I wonder if they filled it before detachment if it would have enough “lift” to slow the descent more effectively?)
It would not take much volume from the helium tank, because of the low atmospheric pressure. The canister and the ascent/descend pump would last for year’s before the tank was empty and could be dropped like ballast.

What does the current Mars InSight info tell me in that regard ?
Beside that their are no commuter lanes on Mars.

Chris: Your idea has merit, but it is likely not practical. A close look at the technical requirements needed to make this seismometer sensitive enough to provide worthwhile data, outlined in today’s talk, makes it clear that the cost to produce a similar instrument on all other landers would likely conflict too much with their other purposes.