How mantle convection shapes the Earth and other rocky planets across the solar system

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Geodynamics explores the invisible forces driving our planet. By studying mantle convection, plate tectonics, and volcanic activity, scientists decode how the Earth reshapes itself. Recent discoveries reveal that these same principles apply to Mars and Venus, offering a deeper understanding of the complex, shifting interiors of rocky worlds.

Geodynamics is the study of the processes that shape and reshape rocky planets through mantle convection. This field integrates plate tectonics, seismic investigations, and the chemistry of volcanic rocks to understand the Earth's deep interior. By analyzing gravitational and geomagnetic anomalies, researchers can map the structures hidden beneath the surface, revealing how materials move and deform over geological timescales.

The scope of geodynamics extends far beyond Earth. Recent analysis of tracking data from Mars orbiters has identified a thermal anomaly of 200–400 °C in the mantle beneath the southern highlands, providing insight into the planet's internal structure. Similarly, observations of Venus suggest that rift valleys with wide flank uplifts indicate recent tectonic activity, potentially driven by rising mantle plumes from deep within the planet's interior.

On Earth, geodynamicists are investigating how deep-seated processes influence surface phenomena. For instance, gravitational torque has been shown to drive multidecadal variations in the length of the day, a process resisted by topographic and electromagnetic forces. Meanwhile, research into the Cretaceous period suggests that intense oceanic intraplate volcanism was not an isolated event but was instead controlled by coupled plate–mantle dynamics, including enhanced subduction and mantle heterogeneity.

Understanding these mechanisms requires high-pressure and high-temperature experiments to simulate lower-mantle conditions. Scientists are currently investigating how water is transported into the deepest parts of the mantle, with evidence suggesting that iron oxyhydroxide phases may play a critical role. These studies are essential for clarifying the material properties of the deep interior and the complex, interconnected systems that govern the evolution of rocky planets.

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