Until this week, Earth was the only planet known to have active volcanoes

[marmar]

Until this week, Earth was the only planet known to have active volcanoes
Astronomers knew that Venus had dormant volcanoes. Now, observations suggest they could be spewing lava right now

By MATTHEW ROZSA
Staff Writer
PUBLISHED MARCH 22, 2023 7:15AM (EDT)


(Salon) Venus is sometimes called Earth's twin, as it is roughly the same size as Earth, occupies the orbital lane adjacent to ours, and has a problem with greenhouse gases (namely carbon dioxide) in its atmosphere. Yet the similarities between the two worlds end quickly: The greenhouse effect spiraled out of control on Venus, meaning it is a toasty 900 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface — hot enough to melt lead. Beyond carbon dioxide, its atmosphere is, unlike Earth's, filled with churning yellow clouds composed of malodorous sulfuric acid. And its geology is very, very weird compared to our planet's: while Earth's surface is comprised of continental "plates" that slowly drift across the crust over millions of years, Venus has no plate tectonics and a completely different geology.

One of Venus' lingering geologic mysteries involves the innumerable volcanoes which pepper the planet's surface. Astronomers and planetary scientists were unsure if and how many were active, and what their relationship was to the planet's evolution. This is particularly a mystery because in other ways, Venus is so similar to Earth, even on the inside. Hence, the notion that it would have such alien geology seems peculiar indeed.

Now, thanks to a recent study in the journal Science Magazine, astronomers are closer to answering their burning questions about Venus' evolution. After analyzing eight months worth of images of the Venusian surface as captured by the Magellan spacecraft in the early 1990s, researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the California Institute of Technology found changes which they believe reveal ongoing volcanic activity — meaning the planet could join the small club of solar system bodies with active volcanoes, which currently counts only two members (Earth and Io).

What the researchers found specifically wasn't quite a smoking gun — nor a smoldering, lava-spewing one — but rather a volcanic vent that is roughly 2.2 square kilometers. During the eight-month observation period, that vent changed shape, suggesting active volcanism. ..................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2023/03/22/venus-active-volcanoes-study/

[Blues Heron]

1. I dont think CO2 is much of a problem on Venus

it is what it is. Here on Earth? - big problem.

[bhikkhu]

3. It would be if there was life there

Planetary geologists figured out the greenhouse effect by studying Venus, as a way to understand the surface temps there.

[Aristus]

2. I was going to call Venus Earth's evil twin until I remembered:

Venus doesn’t have Republicans.