goneinsane6 t1_iu26wio wrote on October 28, 2022 at 12:23 AM

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

The primary contributors to heat in the core are the decay of radioactive elements, leftover heat from planetary formation, and heat released as the liquid outer core solidifies near its boundary with the inner core. This heat radiates/transfers to the mantle. Due to Mars' smaller size and the square-cube law, it has a higher surface area relative to its core and mantle (compared to a larger planet). This causes more heat to radiate out compared to the Earth and is the main reason why Mars' core is now mostly cooled. Mars simply cooled faster because it is smaller.