Important Facts For Prelims
Volcanoes on Venus
- 07 Aug 2020
- 2 min read
Why in News
According to a recent study, published in Nature Geoscience, Venus is still geologically active.
Key Points
- The study identified 37 active volcanoes, in the form of ring-like structures known as coronae, on the surface of Venus.
- The coronae form when plumes of hot material deep inside the planet rise through the mantle layer and crust.
- Earlier, it was believed that the surface of Venus had no geological activity. However, scientists have known for some time that Venus has a younger surface than planets like Mars and Mercury, which have cold interiors.
- The new study will help to identify target areas for future missions such as Europe's EnVision that is scheduled to launch in 2032.
- EnVision aims at determining the level and nature of the geological activity and the sequence of events that generated the surface features of Venus.
Venus
- It is the second closest planet to the sun and the sixth-largest planet in the solar system. It is also known as earth's twin.
- It is the hottest planet in the solar system and its extreme temperatures (450o C) and acidic clouds make it an unlikely place for life.
- Along with Uranus it spins backwards with respect to other planets i.e. Its sun rises in the west and sets in the east.
- Along with Mercury it has no moons and no rings.
