Venus Volcano

Did Venus Ever Have Oceans? Scientists Reveal New Insights

New Study Challenges the Idea of Oceans on Venus

Venus, often called Earth’s twin due to its similar size and rocky composition, has long intrigued scientists. While Earth is covered in water, making up about 71% of its surface, Venus is an inferno with a barren landscape. But did Venus ever host oceans like Earth?

The answer, according to recent research, is a resounding no. A study examining the water content of Venus’ interior—using data inferred from the chemical composition of its atmosphere—suggests the planet has been dry throughout its history.


Key Findings: A Dry and Inhospitable Venus

The study reveals that Venus has a substantially desiccated interior. This dryness aligns with the theory that Venus’ surface was once dominated by molten rock, or magma, early in its history. Contrary to previous hypotheses suggesting the possibility of hidden water reservoirs beneath its surface, this research finds no evidence supporting a water-rich past.

Tereza Constantinou, lead author and doctoral student at the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Astronomy, said:

“The atmospheric chemistry suggests that volcanic eruptions on Venus release very little water, implying that the planet’s interior is equally dry. This is consistent with Venus having a long-lasting dry surface and never being habitable.”


The Role of Volcanism in Understanding Planetary Interiors

Volcanic activity provides crucial insights into the interior composition of rocky planets. On Earth, volcanic gases are rich in water vapor, accounting for over 60%, indicative of a water-rich interior. However, calculations for Venusian eruptions show that these gases contain no more than 6% water vapor, further affirming a dry interior.

This stark contrast between Earth and Venus underscores the differences in their evolutionary paths, despite their similar size, mass, and proximity to the Sun.


Venus vs. Earth: Diverging Planetary Histories

While Earth has thrived as a water-rich, habitable planet, Venus evolved under extreme conditions:

  • Atmospheric Pressure: 90 times greater than Earth’s.
  • Surface Temperatures: Soaring to 465°C (869°F).
  • Atmospheric Composition: Toxic clouds of sulfuric acid dominate the skies.

Constantinou noted,

“Venus and Earth are often called sister planets because of their similarities in mass, radius, and density. However, their evolutionary trajectories diverged dramatically.”


A Tale of Two Neighbors: Venus vs. Mars

Unlike Venus, Mars—our other planetary neighbor—shows clear evidence of a watery past. Surface features on Mars suggest it once had an ocean of liquid water billions of years ago. Furthermore, seismic data from NASA’s InSight lander indicates that Mars may still harbor a vast underground reservoir of liquid water.


Future Missions to Unlock Venus’ Secrets

Despite being less studied than Mars, Venus is set to receive more scientific attention in the coming decades.

  1. NASA’s DAVINCI Mission (2030s):
    • Will investigate Venus from its clouds to its surface using flybys and a descent probe.
  2. European Space Agency’s EnVision Orbital Mission (2030s):
    • Aims to conduct radar mapping and atmospheric analysis.

Constantinou emphasized the importance of studying Venus, stating,

“Venus provides a natural laboratory for understanding how habitability—or the lack of it—evolves.”


Takeaways

  • No Oceans on Venus: New evidence confirms Venus has always been a dry, inhospitable world.
  • Volcanic Clues: Limited water in Venusian volcanic gases points to a desiccated interior.
  • Future Exploration: Upcoming missions will deepen our understanding of Venus’ evolution and its role as Earth’s enigmatic twin.

Source: Reuters

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