geology of other planets

The geology of other planets involves studying their surface materials, internal structures, and geological processes like volcanism and tectonics. Different planets show diverse features: Mars has extinct volcanoes and dry riverbeds, indicating past water activity; Mercury has a heavily cratered, rocky surface; Venus has volcanic plains and a thick atmosphere; icy moons like Europa may have subsurface oceans. These features reveal the planets’ histories, composition, and internal heat. Understanding planetary geology helps us learn how planets form, evolve, and whether they might support life.