Evidence of active volcanic activity has been confirmed for the first time on Earth’s ‘twin’ planet.
A research team at the University of Alaska Geophysical Laboratory in Fairbanks, USA, analyzed radar image data from the past 30 years ago on the 15th and published evidence that volcanic activity has recently occurred on Venus.
Radar data obtained from NASA’s ‘Magellan’ was used. Magellan entered Venus orbit in August 1990 and remained on the mission until 1994.
The research team confirmed that the ‘fire path’, where magma and volcanic emissions flow to the surface of the ‘Martmons’ volcano in the ‘Atla Regio’ in the highlands near the equator of Venus, is changing. Mart Mons was estimated to be volcanic activity until recently, but there was no way to find direct evidence.
The research team compared the two data with a time difference of 8 months in 1991, and confirmed that the size of the volcano had doubled and even formed a lava lake about 8 months later.
This is a very important discovery. Definitive evidence of volcanic activity on Venus has been elusive. The surface temperature of Venus is very high, reaching around 500°C, and violent storms rage everywhere. The probe lands on the surface and cannot survive for long. In addition, it is obscured by thick clouds, so it is not easy to observe from a distance with an orbiter.
This discovery, made in this position, is considered a major achievement in understanding Venus, which is ‘close but cryptic’. Venus is the second planet in the solar system and is a ‘neighbour’ to the third, Earth. It is also closer to Earth than its neighbour, Mars, and appears to be the brightest apart from the Sun and Moon. It is so bright that it can be seen in the night sky with the naked eye.
Venus has many similarities to our Earth. It is about 0.95 times the diameter of the Earth and about 0.85 times the mass, which means it is worthy of being called the twin of our Earth. The material that makes up the crust is similar to Earth’s material, and topographically, there are large mountain ranges and faults. It has all evaporated and disappeared by now, but it is believed that water also existed at one time.
She is also a fairly beautiful planet to the extent that she has the name ‘Venus’, goddess of beauty, probably because she is bright and friendly to us. Until it was confirmed to be a ‘hell star’ with a surface temperature close to 500℃, some people thought ‘wouldn’t we have a suitable environment to live in?’
In a more benign environment, the attention now focused on Mars could have turned to Venus. It is said that there were scholars who were interested in terraforming Venus.
Migration is difficult, but getting to know Venus is still important. As the simile is great, it is a great help to understand the earth. There are many scholars who believe that by exploring Venus, they will be able to predict the future as well as the Earth’s past.
Part of this is an interest in volcanic activity. It might be useful to understand why Venus, which is so similar to Earth and its twin, looks so different now.
The study of volcanic activity on Venus is expected to continue. In the future, a new orbital probe is planned to go into space with a higher performance radar.
Reporter Youngjun Kim kyj85@etnews.com
