30-Year-Old NASA Data Reveals Volcanic Activity on Venus, Environment Very Similar to Ancient Earth

For years, researchers have been following scars known as coronae on Venus. These scars have now given experts a fresh perspective regarding the Morning Star, stated Earth. Findings regarding this new development have been published in detail in the journal Science Advances.

For a long time, experts thought coronae were leftover markings of ancient activity on Venus' surface. However, recently examined radar data indicate that the coronae are being created by ongoing tectonic activities. These activities are not a thing of the past, instead, they are still transforming the planet's surface.

Coronae are essentially oval-shaped features that measure around dozens to hundreds of miles wide on Venus, according to Space. The formations are further surrounded by what experts call rings of fractures. For decades, researchers have been divided about what processes create these coronae. The recent study, which analyzed 75 coronae in total, confirmed that these processes are definitely active and still changing Venus. 

For the study, researchers created a 3D computer model of Venus. Therafter, the team presented different scenarios through which a hot plume could reach the surface or flow under it. The results of these scenarios were contrasted with Venus' gravity and topography data. The gravity data, which showcases the strength of gravity at different points of Venus, proved to be a breakthrough. Through the data, researchers located dense plumes that were exerting a strong pull on nearby objects.

Scientists were able to figure out that these hot, dense plumes were rising from deep within the planet's surface and clashing with the lithosphere. This clash was possibly creating coronae. Researchers believe that these structures are formed when hot plumes coming from deep inside the planet's surface clash with the lithosphere. Amongst the 75 coronae that were being examined, 52 showed evidence of this underground phenomenon in play.

The findings clearly showcase that volcanic activity is possibly more widespread in Venus than previously believed, and might still be triggering changes.  Though researchers are still unsure of what tectonic activities are triggering the plume and creating the coronae, further examinations would be needed to gain clarity on that.

The radar data used in the study has been taken from NASA’s Magellan mission, which orbited Venus in the early 1990s, according to SciTech Daily. The mission has provided many valuable insights regarding Venus. Through the information brought back by the mission, researchers have been able to create the most detailed maps of Venus' surface and gravity field to date.

The insights have led some scientists to draw similarities between the two planets, which could completely revolutionize how astronomers perceive Venus. Study's lead author, Gael Cascioli, assistant research scientist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, stated that the coronae, which now exist on Venus, were once possibly also a part of Earth's surface. Therefore, if researchers can figure out the processes taking place within Venus' surface, they can also garner an understanding of how things worked under the Earth in the past.