'Play-doh' planet Venus appears to be too hot to blow
4 hrs ago
Kirsteen Paterson
A lava flow on Venus
IT is a conundrum that has long puzzled scientists — why are there so few volcanoes on Venus?
The answer, apparently, has been found in a popular children’s toy.
Researchers from St Andrews University say the reason this planet does not share Earth’s substantial volcanic activity is because its crust, unlike the solid edge of our blue and green home, resembles modelling clay.
The squidgy, “plastic-like” crust has been compared to popular putty Play-doh, with its lack of cracks meaning magma cannot move through to form volcanoes, as happens here. Instead, the molten material becomes trapped in the soft layer, which is caused by temperatures of up to 460C.
More:
http://www.thenational.scot/news/15318000._Play_doh__planet_Venus_appears_to_be_too_hot_to_blow/
