Examining Venus’s surface could unlock the secrets of Earth’s early history say NASA scientists

Why this matters:

Even if you’re not a space buff, this story shows how old data and new missions are transforming our understanding of planets, including Earth’s own history.

Get up to speed with the main points of this story in our 1-minute read:

• Decades-old data from the now-defunct NASA Magellan spacecraft shows Venus is geologically active, with dynamic processes beneath its surface
• Giant 'coronae' structures, shaped by molten rock, hint at ongoing tectonic and volcanic activity
• Venus’s geology may mirror early Earth, offering clues to our own planet’s past
• Gravity and topography analysis reveals hidden mantle plumes and possible crustal subduction zones
• The upcoming VERITAS mission will deliver even sharper maps, promising a revolution in our understanding of Venus

"The VERITAS gravity maps of Venus will boost the resolution by at least a factor of two to four...a level of detail that could revolutionise our understanding of Venus’s geology and implications for early Earth," says Suzanne Smrekar, JPL planetary scientist