Sierra-117- t1_iu1cvzm wrote
Reply to comment by Darkelement in A recently released set of topography maps provides new evidence for an ancient northern ocean on Mars. The maps offer the strongest case yet that the planet once experienced sea-level rise consistent with an extended warm and wet climate, not the harsh, frozen landscape that exists today. by Wagamaga
Well it takes a lot more energy to melt metals into liquid than rock.
Metal also has a higher rate of energy transfer. So the metal cools faster, and takes far more energy to stay hot.
The core is also more stable than the mantle, meaning is experiences less friction and therefore produces less excess heat.
The heat from the core will constantly radiate into the mantle, so the mantle is constantly gaining energy while the core cools. Because the core is HOT, just not hotter than we would expect under the given pressure.
Lots of factors, and there’s a lot more I could list! But basically it comes down to: the core has now cooled to a stable temperature, therefore the mantle has cooled to a stable temperature, therefore volcanic activity is likely to cease.
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