New Research Suggests Earth's Plate Tectonics Key to Rare Intelligent Life

Studies propose that the presence of oceans, continents, and long-lasting tectonics are crucial for the evolution of advanced civilizations.

Geoscientists from the University of Texas and ETH Zurich highlight the importance of plate tectonics in the development of complex life.
The revised Drake Equation now includes the necessity of large oceans, continents, and tectonic activity for over 500 million years.
These geological features are rare, potentially explaining the lack of detected extraterrestrial civilizations.
Earth's unique tectonic activity may be a significant factor in why intelligent life has evolved here but not elsewhere.
The new model significantly reduces the estimated number of active, communicative civilizations in the Milky Way.