Question

What is the most likely reason Venus does not experience plate tectonics like Earth?

A) Venusʹs lithosphere is stronger and thicker than Earthʹs.

B) Volcanoes have covered up any evidence of plate tectonics.

C) The slow rotation of Venus causes it to have a thicker crust than Earth.

D) Venusʹs lack of a magnetic field has interfered with the tectonic process.

E) Venus has a much cooler interior than Earth, which has inhibited convection.

Answer 1

Venus does not experience plate tectonics like Earth. Instead, the lava plains on Venus are formed by widespread lava eruptions without crustal spreading.

Step-by-step explanation:

Venus does not experience plate tectonics like Earth because there is no evidence of subduction zones on Venus, indicating that this planet never experienced plate tectonics. While convection in Venus' mantle generates great stresses in its crust, it does not start large continental plates moving. Instead, the formation of the lava plains on Venus more closely resembles that of the lunar maria, resulting from widespread lava eruptions without the crustal spreading associated with plate tectonics.