Venus is Deforming: 36-Year-Old Data Reveals Big Quakes Changing the Planet



For decades, Venus was considered a geologically dormant planet, its surface shaped by ancient volcanic and tectonic activity long since faded. However, a groundbreaking study using 36-year-old data from NASA's Magellan mission has revealed that Venus is still very much alive geologically. Scientists analyzing radar imagery from the 1990s found compelling evidence of tectonic shifts, including major quakes and surface deformations that have transformed the planet’s crust over time.
 


By comparing archival radar images with more recent high-resolution data, researchers identified previously unnoticed changes in Venus's landscape—primarily around fault lines and volcanic regions. These shifts suggest that Venus experiences "venusquakes," similar to earthquakes on Earth, which have altered the planet’s surface dramatically. The new analysis shows movement along fault lines, collapses of volcanic roofs, and subtle shifts in terrain, all pointing toward active internal dynamics.

One striking revelation involves the detection of twin volcanic structures whose shapes changed significantly over the decades, hinting at deep-seated seismic activity. Scientists believe these deformations could be caused by the movement of magma or tectonic plates, which indicates Venus has an active mantle and possibly ongoing volcanic eruptions beneath its thick atmosphere.

This discovery reshapes our understanding of planetary evolution and comparative geology. The findings support the idea that Venus, often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size and composition, may have a more dynamic interior than previously thought. These insights are vital for upcoming missions such as NASA’s VERITAS and ESA’s EnVision, which aim to further investigate Venus's geology and atmospheric composition.

As we continue to uncover secrets locked in decades-old data, Venus emerges not as a static relic but as a living world, with active geology that could provide clues about Earth's own tectonic future.

#VenusQuakes #VenusGeology #PlanetaryScience #NASA #MagellanMission #SpaceExploration #VERITAS #ESAEnVision #ActiveVenus #TectonicActivity #VolcanoesOnVenus #PlanetaryGeology #SpaceNews #AstroResearch #VenusUpdate

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