NASA Discovers Possible Signs of Life in Venus: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Surface Structures!

Researchers have made exciting discoveries about Venus using old radar data from NASA’s Magellan mission. They published their findings on May 14, 2025, in Science Advances. This research suggests that Venus might still experience tectonic activity today. By re-examining data from the 1990s, the team found signs of tectonic movements around structures called coronae. These findings could change our understanding of Venus and even offer clues about Earth’s geological past.

Magellan’s Insight into Venus

NASA’s Magellan orbiter, which operated in the early 1990s, provided detailed images of Venus beneath its thick atmosphere. It created maps that show features on the planet’s surface. The latest analysis focused on coronae—large circular formations that hint at underlying geological processes. Unlike Earth, where the surface moves due to shifting tectonic plates, Venus appears to be reshaped by internal forces that push up hot material from below.

Gael Cascioli, the lead author and a planetary scientist at the University of Maryland, noted that coronae are unique to Venus and might resemble features that existed on early Earth before plate tectonics developed. This insight deepens our understanding of how geological processes can vary between planets.

Active Geodynamics on Venus

The research team created 3D models to visualize how coronae form from rising mantle material, known as mantle plumes. These plumes create circular patterns on the surface as they push against the lithosphere. Out of 75 coronae studied, 52 showed signs of recent activity, indicating that Venus is geologically vibrant rather than dormant.

Anna Gülcher, a co-author from the University of Bern, emphasized that several processes appear to be driving the formation of coronae. This newfound activity may echo the early geological processes that shaped Earth.

Lessons from Venus for Earth

The new findings challenge the long-held belief that Venus lacks tectonic activity. Researchers observed behavior similar to subduction, where rising material pushes surrounding crust outward. This is reminiscent of Earth’s early days when similar movements were common before modern plate tectonics took over.

Another process called lithospheric dripping occurs when denser crustal material detaches and sinks back into the mantle. This process could provide parallels to Earth’s formative years, helping scientists understand how both planets developed.

Future Exploration: The VERITAS Mission

To further investigate these findings, NASA’s upcoming VERITAS mission, set for launch no earlier than 2031, aims to deliver even clearer data about Venus. The mission will use advanced technologies to create 3D surface maps and explore the planet’s interior. It will also provide new gravity measurements to confirm whether the coronae analyzed are geologically active.

Suzanne Smrekar, the mission’s principal investigator, stated that the enhanced gravity maps could significantly change our understanding of Venus’ geology, shedding light on its implications for early Earth.

Conclusion

The recent discoveries about Venus open new avenues for understanding not just our sister planet but also the history of Earth. By studying how these planets evolve, scientists may unlock clues about our own geological processes, bringing us closer to understanding how both worlds have changed over time.

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