Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Researchers argue that plate tectonics, essential for complex life on Earth, may be crucial for the evolution of intelligent alien civilizations capable of interstellar communication.
Plate tectonics began around 1 to 0.5 billion years ago, accelerating the development of complex life during the Cambrian explosion, a pivotal period in Earth's history.
Earth remains the only known planet with plate tectonics in our solar system. Models suggest it could be rare, especially on exoplanets like super-Earths.
Beyond plate tectonics, planets need the right balance of oceans and continents. Earth's configuration—thin oceans and prominent landmasses—may be unique among planetary types.
Using the Drake equation modified by Stern and Gerya, researchers estimate a very small fraction of exoplanets may harbor both plate tectonics and suitable conditions for life to evolve intelligence. The analysis was published on April 12 in the journal Scientific Reports.
Their calculations suggest between 0.0004% and 0.2% of exoplanets might develop intelligent life capable of technological civilizations, a stark contrast to earlier optimistic estimates.
Despite advances in SETI projects like Breakthrough Listen, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence remains limited, covering only a fraction of potential signals in the galaxy.
Stern and Gerya's model aligns with the Great Filter theory, proposing that the scarcity of planets with plate tectonics and suitable environmental conditions could act as a universal bottleneck for evolving intelligent life.
While observational data on exoplanets are lacking, the implications are profound. If their hypothesis holds, humanity could be among the few technological civilizations in our galaxy, highlighting the need for careful preservation of our own civilization. The analysis by Stern and Gerya underscores ongoing debates about the prevalence of intelligent life in the universe, emphasizing Earth's potentially unique position in cosmic evolution.