Researchers have discovered that Venus’ surface may be tectonically active, with hot plumes of rock upwelling from the planet’s mantle shaping mysterious landforms called coronae. This finding suggests that Venus’ surface is not a stagnant layer, but rather a dynamic and changing environment. The study used computer simulations and data from NASA’s Magellan spacecraft to identify plumes beneath 52 coronae and predict their effects on the surface.
Forecast for 6 months: In the next 6 months, we can expect to see more research and analysis of the data collected by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft, which will provide further insights into Venus’ tectonic activity. This may lead to a better understanding of the planet’s geological history and potential habitability.
Forecast for 1 year: In the next year, we can expect to see the launch of new missions to Venus, such as the VERITAS mission, which will gather high-resolution data on the planet’s surface and atmosphere. This will provide a more detailed understanding of Venus’ tectonic activity and its implications for the planet’s habitability.
Forecast for 5 years: In the next 5 years, we can expect to see a significant increase in our understanding of Venus’ geological history and potential habitability. This may lead to a reevaluation of the planet’s potential for supporting life and its implications for the search for life beyond Earth.
Forecast for 10 years: In the next 10 years, we can expect to see a major shift in our understanding of Venus’ tectonic activity and its implications for the planet’s habitability. This may lead to a new generation of missions to Venus, which will focus on exploring the planet’s surface and subsurface in greater detail.
