Is plate tectonics necessary for having life on a planet?

If the planet were a cold, dead, and inert space rock, life as we know it probably could not exist. At least on today's Earth, geology and biology go hand in hand. Of all planets, Earth is the only one known to have plate tectonics. It is also the only one known to harbour life. read more

Plate tectonics drive volcanic activity; volcanoes have had a profound effect on the evolution of the planet's atmosphere. The link to a magnetic field is a good point, too. Life as we know it probably wouldn't exist in the absence of the atmosphere we currently have, and almost certainly wouldn't exist at all if not for the planet's magnetic field shielding the surface from solar and cosmic radiation. read more

Image credit: USGS Plate tectonics is the process of continents on the Earth drifting and colliding, rock grinding and scraping, mountain ranges being formed, and earthquakes tearing land apart. read more

Plate movements. Plate tectonics provides a mechanism for this global thermostat. Most volcanism on the Earth occurs at plate boundaries in response to plate tectonics. And the most important volcanic products by mass – by a large amount – are two greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and water. read more

So worlds with plate tectonics are likely to have water as well, which means they feature two ingredients theoretically necessary for life. This presents an exciting option: searching for plate tectonics on distant worlds as a sign of life. Spohn agrees that this is a possibility, but remains level-headed. read more