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New Study Confirms Active Tectonics on Venus in 52 Coronae

Reanalysis of Magellan data reveals evidence of mantle plumes, subduction-like processes, and crustal recycling on Venus, challenging previous assumptions of a geologically inert planet.

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Artist's concept of Quetzalpetlatl Corona on Venus.

Overview

  • Recent research published in *Science Advances* identifies active geological processes in 52 of 75 coronae studied on Venus, based on decades-old Magellan spacecraft data.
  • Gravity and topography data reveal density variations indicative of hot mantle plumes and subduction-like trench formations around coronae.
  • Simulations suggest Venus's lithosphere undergoes localized recycling through processes such as lithospheric dripping and plume-driven deformation.
  • The findings reshape our understanding of Venus as a geologically dynamic planet, offering insights into Earth's early tectonic history and planetary evolution.
  • NASA's VERITAS mission, launching no earlier than 2031, is expected to provide higher-resolution gravity and surface data to further investigate Venus's tectonic activity.