Does Mars have active tectonic plates?

Answered by Sophie Allan of the National Space Centre. While Mars no longer appears to be geologically active, we see from surface features that it once was very Earth-like in its geological processes. read more

The surface of Mars plays host to the largest volcano in the Solar System, Olympus Mons, and a huge rift valley called Valles Marineris. And it is this rift valley that indicates that Mars does in fact have tectonic plates. read more

Scientists have long believed that plate tectonics — in which huge crustal plates pull apart, smash together and dive under one another — exist nowhere in our solar system but Earth. But the phenomenon is also active on Mars, according to the new study. read more