Venus exhibits hemispheric asymmetry in lithosphere and volcanism

An international research team led by the Complutense University of Madrid has identified a significant asymmetry in the planet Venus. According to a study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, the northern hemisphere possesses a thinner lithosphere and more than twice the number of volcanoes compared to the southern hemisphere.

This geological difference may explain how Venus releases internal heat. Unlike Earth, Venus lacks plate tectonics to recycle its lithosphere, making the thickness of this outer rigid layer a critical factor in its volcanic activity and heat transfer processes.