John McClean
Papers
2
Total Citations
15
H-Index
2
About
John McClean is a planetary seismologist whose work focuses on understanding the Martian subsurface through the lens of the NASA InSight mission. His key research areas include the analysis of short-period seismic signals, the mechanical properties of the Martian regolith, and the calibration of lander-generated noise sources. McClean’s major contribution lies in characterizing the site tilt and transfer function of InSight’s Short-Period seismometer, providing critical corrections that enable accurate detection of marsquakes and atmospheric phenomena. His most-cited paper (2021, 13 citations) details how tilt and local noise sources—such as thermal and wind effects—affect seismic data, directly improving the interpretation of Mars’ interior structure. In a complementary study (2020, 2 citations), he used the lander’s robotic arm to generate controlled vibrations, revealing how the regolith responds to short-period energy and constraining near-surface properties. This innovative approach bridges engineering and geophysics, offering a novel method for probing planetary soils. McClean’s work is foundational for future missions seeking to deploy seismometers on other worlds, demonstrating how careful analysis of lander-induced signals can unlock hidden details of planetary environments.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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