New Study Reveals Ongoing Volcanic Activity on Venus, Challenging Previous Geological Assumptions

May 30, 2024
New Study Reveals Ongoing Volcanic Activity on Venus, Challenging Previous Geological Assumptions
  • Recent analysis of archival data from the 1990s reveals ongoing volcanic activity on Venus.

  • Scientists reanalyzed data from NASA's Magellan spacecraft, identifying changes in Venus' surface indicative of new rock formations since 1990.

  • These findings challenge previous assumptions about Venus' geology, suggesting the planet is more geologically active than previously thought.

  • The study focused on the Sif Mons and Niobe Planitia regions, where significant rock formations reshaped the terrain.

  • The level of volcanic activity on Venus may be comparable to Earth.

  • Despite these findings, the VERITAS mission to investigate Venus' volcanic sites is delayed due to budget constraints.

  • NASA and ESA aim to launch the VERITAS mission in the early 2030s to explore Venus' geological processes and potential habitability.

Summary based on 11 sources


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