The discovery of extrasolar Earth-sized planets has encouraged research into their potential for habitability. One of the generally agreed[1] requirements for a life-sustaining planet is a mobile, fractured lithosphere cyclically recycled into a vigorously convecting mantle, in a process commonly known as plate tectonics. Plate tectonics provide a means of geochemical regulation of atmospheric particulates, as well as removal of carbon from the atmosphere. This prevents a “runaway greenhouse” effect that can result in inhospitable surface temperatures and vaporization of liquid surface water.[2] Planetary scientists have not reached a consensus on whether Earth-like exoplanets have plate tectonics, but it is widely thought that the likelihood of plate tectonics on an Earth-like exoplanet is a function of planetary radius, initial temperature upon coalescence, insolation, and presence or absence of liquid-phase surface water.[3][4][5][6]
^Cite error: The named reference Noack_Breuer_2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Cite error: The named reference Kaltenegger_Sasselov_2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).