# Venus ongoing tectonic activity > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/venus-ongoing-tectonic-activity > Updated: 2026-08-05T02:03:24.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3. In late July 2026, researchers at ETH Zurich released three‑dimensional simulations showing that Venus’s crust is still dynamically deforming. The models reproduced the planet’s giant rift valleys, which can widen at rates of about 3–10 cm per year, and matched radar images from NASA’s Magellan mission, suggesting portions of the rift system are younger than previously assumed. A few days later the team published detailed analysis of Ganis Chasma, Dali Chasma and Devana Chasma, highlighting steep flank ridges and deformation patterns consistent with active rift zones. On 24 July, further modeling described rifts extending up to 10,000 km, bounded by high, steep flanks that gradually flatten after movement stops, reinforcing the possibility of ongoing tectonic and volcanic activity. A study released on 5 August used high‑resolution topographic data to identify polygonal plains and extensive rift uplifts, indicating recent extensional and volcanic events and supporting ages as recent as 100 million years for some valleys. Published in *Nature Geoscience*, these findings are being used to guide target selection for upcoming missions such as NASA’s and ESA’s EnVision orbiter. ## Claims - ETH Zurich researchers identified large rift zones (chasmata) on Venus that suggest ongoing geological activity. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The chasmata examined include Ganis Chasma, Dali Chasma and Devana Chasma. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Computer modelling indicates that Venus may host active volcanism. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Rift flanks on Venus are opening at rates of three to ten centimetres per year. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The findings were published in the journal Nature Geoscience. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Venus’s surface temperature is about 460 °C and surface pressure roughly 90 times Earth’s. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Venus lacks Earth‑like plate tectonics but may still have a moving crust. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Data from NASA’s Magellan radar mission were used to build topographic models of Venus. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-05: Venus Shows Ongoing Geological Activity, New Study Finds New ETH Zurich research using 3D models finds Venus’s rift valleys and polygonal plains indicate recent tectonic activity, overturning the view of the planet as geologically dead. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venus-shows-ongoing-geological-activity-new-study-finds-1 ### 2026-07-27: Venus Shows Signs of Ongoing Geological Activity with Active Rift Zones ETH Zurich researchers, using Magellan radar data and 3D models, find Venus’s large chasmata (Ganis, Dali, Devana) show active rift flanks opening 3‑10 cm/yr, suggesting ongoing volcanism; published in Nature ​ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venus-shows-signs-of-ongoing-geological-activity-with-active-rift-zones ### 2026-07-24: Venus Shows Ongoing Tectonic Activity as New 3D Simulations Reveal Young Rift Valleys ETH Zurich’s 3D simulations show Venus’s rift valleys may be younger, widening 3‑10 cm/year, with high flanks that flatten over time, indicating ongoing tectonic activity. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/venus-crust-may-be-fragmenting-signaling-ongoing-geological-activity --- Cite as: Venus ongoing tectonic activity. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/venus-ongoing-tectonic-activity