IT is a conundrum that has long puzzled scientists — why are there so few volcanoes on Venus?
The answer, apparently, has been found in a popular children’s toy.
Researchers from St Andrews University say the reason this planet does not share Earth’s substantial volcanic activity is because its crust, unlike the solid edge of our blue and green home, resembles modelling clay.
The squidgy, “plastic-like” crust has been compared to popular putty Play-doh, with its lack of cracks meaning magma cannot move through to form volcanoes, as happens here. Instead, the molten material becomes trapped in the soft layer, which is caused by temperatures of up to 460C.
Based on size, chemistry and position in the solar system, Venus is the most Earth-like planet observed so far, but has no life and extreme high temperatures.
Dr Sami Mikhail claims the lessons could help us spot Earth-like exoplanets amid unsuitable alternatives: “If we can understand how and why two almost identical planets became so very different, then we as geologists can inform astronomers how humanity could find other habitable Earth-like planets, and avoid uninhabitable Earth-like planets that turn out to be more Venus-like, which is a barren, hot, and hellish wasteland.”
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