A newly identified tectonic "regime" may rewrite our understanding of how rocky worlds evolve, scientists report in a new study.

The findings may help to explain why Earth became geologically vibrant while Venus remained stagnant and scorching, with possible implications for our understanding of what makes a planet habitable.

When researchers used advanced geodynamic simulations to map diverse planetary tectonic regimes — distinct patterns that describe how a planet's outer shell deforms and releases heat under different conditions — they discovered a missing link they've dubbed the "episodic-squishy lid."

This striking new framework offers a fresh perspective on how planets shift between active and inactive states, thus reshaping scientific assumptions about planetary evolution and hab

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