Rocket craters for seismometers and such

[redliox]

I recall how there was concern about the rocket plumes from some landers burning holes under the vehicle on landing. It becomes a bigger concern for Starship scales. A thought struck me though: post-landing, could such holes make makeshift spots for Insight-style geology equipment? Plop a Marsquake detector down, lightly bury with sand, done.

[deadman1204]

I recall how there was concern about the rocket plumes from some landers burning holes under the vehicle on landing. It becomes a bigger concern for Starship scales. A thought struck me though: post-landing, could such holes make makeshift spots for Insight-style geology equipment? Plop a Marsquake detector down, lightly bury with sand, done.

I can't speak to how altering the area would affect seismology (creating glass ect). However, you would create a slope where dirt/dust are unstable and will slowly slide down creating alot of vibrations. I'd be concerned that all the dust sliding down over the next year or two as the slode starts to settle would counter any advantage of being out of the wind.