Tidal lock and landmass on a Earth-like planet

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

An Earth-like planet undergoing tidal locking will not have its surface landscape significantly influence its stable state. The discussion highlights that a continent positioned at the center of the star-facing side and another on the opposite side would not be necessary for stability. Hydrostatic equilibrium plays a crucial role, indicating that the mass of continental plates is negligible in the overall balance of the planet. Active plate tectonics would continue to function on a tidally locked planet, similar to Earth.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of tidal locking and its effects on planetary bodies
  • Knowledge of hydrostatic equilibrium in planetary science
  • Familiarity with plate tectonics and continental drift
  • Concept of Earth-like planets and their characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of tidal locking on planetary atmospheres
  • Explore hydrostatic equilibrium in different celestial bodies
  • Investigate the dynamics of plate tectonics on tidally locked planets
  • Study the geological features of Earth-like exoplanets
USEFUL FOR

Astronomers, planetary scientists, and geologists interested in the dynamics of tidally locked planets and their geological characteristics.

Czcibor
Messages
294
Reaction score
128
Would an Earth-like planet while getting a tidal lock, get it influenced by landscape of surface? So that the most stable state would be to have a continent on the center of the side close to its star and the other on the exactly opposite side? Or maybe because of hydrostatic equilibrium such landmass is mostly irrelevant as it means that the rock in continental plate is lighter and it mostly equals out?

By "Earth-like planet" I mean "planet with oceans, continents and active plate tectonics".
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
The visible land mass on Earth is only a tiny fraction of its total mass. There is no reason to assume plate tectonics would screech to a halt on a tidally locked planet.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
855
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K