Years back, NASA’s Magellan Mission hinted at potential geological activity on Venus, which is quite intriguing considering Venus lacks tectonic plates like Earth.
Recent research, which revisits data gathered three decades ago, indicates that Venus’s surface may still be in a state of flux.
A study led by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory and featured in the Journal Science Advances reports that scientists have identified unique circular features on Venus, referred to as coronae.
NASA indicates that the Magellan mission, which orbited Venus in the 1990s, played a crucial role in examining these geological features.
Geal Cascioli, the study’s lead author and a research scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, noted that these phenomena could date back to the planet’s formative years, even before the formation of plate tectonics.
By analyzing gravity and topographical data, researchers can gain deeper insights into the dynamics beneath Venus’s surface, illuminating the planet’s ongoing transformations.
NASA explains that the Magellan mission employed radar technology to explore Venus’s dense atmosphere and create maps of its landscapes, including its mountains and plains. Initially, the formation processes of these coronae were unclear. However, researchers later observed that Venus’s lithosphere tends to emerge in regions characterized by elevated heat flow.
Anna Garcher, a co-author of the study and a scientist focused on Earth and planetary studies at the University of Bern, highlighted the prevalence and intriguing characteristics of coronae, noting that various theories about their origins have been suggested over time.
While current imagery of Venus indicates volcanic activity, it lacks the precision to fully explain the formation of coronae. To enhance understanding, NASA plans to launch the Veritas mission, which will utilize advanced technologies such as radar systems, near-infrared tools, and radio equipment.
