Plate Tectonics Keep the Planet Comfortable

One of the interesting facts about Earth is only the planet Earth has plate tectonics in the Solar System. In essence, the Earth's crust is divided into sections called tectonic plates. These can interact with one another and are perched on top of the Earth's magma core. One plate will subduct (move underneath another) when two plates contact, and where they rip apart, another crust will form.

There are several reasons why this process is crucial. It is essential to the carbon cycle and causes tectonic resurfacing as well as geological activity (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, mountain-building, and the creation of oceanic trenches). The ocean's small plants sink to the bottom as they die.

The carbon-rich remains of this life are recycled over a very long time period inside the Earth's interior. This removes carbon from the atmosphere, preventing us from experiencing a runaway greenhouse effect like Venus did. Without plate tectonics, the Earth would become hot and hellish, since there would be no way to recycle this carbon.