Will Earth-like planets be found to have Earth-like oceans?
Thursday, April 20, 2017 - 11:02
in Earth & Climate
For a planetary surface to boast extensive areas of both land and water, a delicate balance must be struck between the volume of water it retains and the capacity of its oceanic basins. Each of these two quantities may vary substantially across the full spectrum of water-bearing worlds. Why the Earth's values are so well balanced is an unresolved and long-standing conundrum.