New theory on why we are alone in the cosmos – Tectonic plates

Are we alone and if so, why? So far, the search for extraterrestrial life has found nothing but silence – and a team of geoscientists now think they know why.

Geology. The presence of oceans, continents and plate tectonics on Earth is most likely the reason there is no evidence for advanced extraterrestrial civilizations, according to new research from the University of Texas at Dallas and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich.

The Drake Equation

Published in Nature Scientific Reports, a new paper explores the lack of “active and communicative civilizations” and suggests a change to the Drake equation, a formula created by astronomer Dr. Frank Drake in 1961, which astronomers use to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy capable of communicating with humans. The Drake equation is about formulating a question, but it doesn’t provide an answer.

Part of the Drake equation refers to the fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent life appears. The new research suggests that the need for large oceans, continents and plate tectonics – the latter lasting over 500 million years – must also be considered.

Plate tectonics

Plate tectonics is a theory that explains how the Earth lithosphere – its mantle and upper crust – is divided into sections called plates, which move. These movements create mountains, volcanoes and oceans.

“Life has existed on Earth for about four billion years, but complex organisms like animals didn’t appear until about 600 million years ago, not long after the modern episode of plate tectonics began,” said Dr. Robert Stern, a. professor of sustainable Earth systems sciences in the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas. “Plate tectonics starts the evolutionary machine, and we think we understand why.”

As the plates move, they create new landforms, which generate new weather systems and climates. Weather causes nutrients to reach the oceans, while the birth and death of habitats forces species to evolve and adapt.

Fermi’s paradox

This suggested qualifier to the Drake Equation regarding oceans, continents, and plate tectonics makes active and communicating civilizations much less likely. This is important because the Drake equation multiplies several factors—such as fractions of stars with planets and life-bearing planets—to estimate the number of intelligent civilizations in our galaxy. However, there is no evidence for any life beyond Earth. This has been referred to as Fermi’s Paradox, as suggested in 1950 by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Enrico Fermi.

The Drake equation, the researchers say, assumes that an intelligent civilization will logically evolve on all life-supporting planets. This study suggests otherwise. Earth is the only planet in the solar system with plate tectonics. “It is much more common for planets to have a solid outer shell that is not fragmented, which is known as single-lid tectonics,” Stern said. “But plate tectonics is much more effective than lid tectonics in driving the emergence of advanced life forms.”

Radio Waves and Rockets

Stern also argues that the evolution of simple or complex multicellular life must occur in water, while the rest require land. “Questioning the night sky, harnessing fire and using metals to create new technologies, and finally the emergence of active, communicating civilizations capable of sending radio waves and rocket ships into space, must all happen on earth.” “, he said.

I wish you clear skies and open eyes.

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