Selected issues on the tectonic structures beyond the Earth

Abstract

Apart from the Earth, tectonic structures are present on several planetary bodies in the Solar System. Parallel
magnetized basaltic stripes with an alternating polarized direction on Mars could be the result of ancient spreading of the
lithosphere; this could also be the case with the parallel stripes having different colour and albedo along extensional faults
on Europa and Ganymedes. Rift-like ridges with cross-sections that resemble mid-oceanic ridges are present on Venus,
and they also indicate signs of possible subduction. Furthermore, there are examples of real 'polar wandering', e.g. the
rotation of the whole lithosphere on Earth, Mars, Europa and Titan. Compressional features are also visible on several
planets, including tesserae on Venus; these tesserae — beyond their fractures and elevated topography — show sings of
geochemical fractionation, partly resembling the blocks of continental crust on Earth. In addition to the above-mentioned
examples, tectonic features are also present on asteroids. These examples from other features of the Solar System help to
make Earth science formation models more accurate, and they could also be used to make enrich the contents of
university courses.