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 V
Vesta
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Planet
Core
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Vesta
Cools
As the remnants of star pieces, gases and cosmic dust clumped
tightly together, gravity, heat and pressure worked their magic
to begin the formation of planet Vesta. Intense heat locked
in the center of the planet created an inner core of iron, a
heavy element. The mantle was formed out if thick, many layered
silica rock material, thus giving a spherical form to the planet.
The thin rocky silicate planetary crust became a ground which
life forms become rooted in. Additionally, the atmosphere became
a shroud of water and heavenly gases that permitted life to
exist. Finally, the crust is made up of tectonic plates, made
mostly of granite rock, that slowly move about, over billions
of years. This movement is caused by sea floor spreading and
great pressures upon these plates. Throughout geological time,
subduction zone movements have changed the formation and location
of the four known continents of Vesta. When oceanic and continental
plates collide, the crash results in the mountainous formations
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Vesta
Landscape
Vesta has several large tectonic plates which dovetail as
they connect, forming the surface of the planet. The locations
where the dovetails exist are the same places where many of
the active volcanoes are found around the planet. These are
shown in the diagram below and are called Hot Spots. The central
region of the planet is home to many Hot Spots where volcanic
activity is frequent and severe. Being a rather young and
geologically active planet, the planet has some high mountainous
regions. There are some crater lakes on the face of Vesta
as a result of meteor bombardment. The
high winds cut viciously into the mountains causing fast erosion.
Melting glaciers provide water for the lakes and rivers found
in the lowlands and wetlands. Vesta is mostly covered with
water, though there are many undiscovered regions on this
planet. The oceans are deep and cold and teeming with life.
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Juturna
Juturna means "Goddess of fountains and springs."
It is in this northernmost continent that once was the home
to the biggest glaciers that provided much of the water for
planet Vesta. There are thousands of small rivers, springs,
artesian wells, dynamic waterfalls on this continent. It is
also a very green and forested place. Bogs and swamplands provide
breeding grounds for unique flora and fauna found only in Juturna.
Towards the rear of the continent is located the mighty and
enormous Andraste Mountainous Region. Andraste means, "god
of Victory." One feels victorious when standing atop the
deeply gouged red, yellow and ochre colored peaks which have
been deeply eroded by environmental factors. Juturna is a rugged,
lush place to inhabit. The most southeastern corner of Juturna
is home to volcanic activity.
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Belenus
Belenus lies in a southeasterly direction from Juturna. Belenus
means, "god of light, or shining one." This continent
was named Belenus because it is warmer, more inhabitable to
all forms of life and is a beautiful place of vast natural resources.
There is evidence that a meteor hit Belenus long ago, blessing
the continent with unusual water qualities. However, there is
a good deal of volcanic activity along the western edge of the
continent.
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Amun
Amun means "hidden one," and was named that because
it is a continent that is tucked out of the way at the bottom
of the planet. Amun becomes Vesta's south pole. Because of
uplifting tectonic plates found on the northwestern quadrant
of the continent, once again, there is a large amount of volcanic
activity there. All along the eastern region of Amun one finds
the Vulcan Mountains. Vulcan mean "god of flash"
and this named is appropriate to the region because of the
burning embers that flash from the volcanic activity in the
region.
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Anoba
Amoba is a mysterious and dangerous place. Anoba means "the
hunt." It is called that because this continent is rich
with the most imaginative life forms. Moreover, Anoba is home
to a host of ecosystems. For example, there is a section of
sand dunes, then there is the wet region down the center of
the continent because of the mighty Bellona River. Bellona means
"to fight" because life here is perilous with quicksand,
the greatest of all volcanic activity, the highest mountains
and the lowest plains. This maze of land formations is also
a maze of life forms that prey upon each other.
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Vesta Today
Fossil remains that have been found
on Vesta tell a very interesting story about the evolution of this
planet. Although there appear to be missing links in our knowledge
about planet Vesta, there are a few things we know for certain.
For example, life forms are many and varied. There is a closeness
to the relationships between species much like the pattern on planet
Earth. There is evidence of extinction of some species and plant
forms. Large alpine glaciers have preserved records of such events.
Vesta has suffered large volcanic eruptions which resulted in a
temporary cooling of the planet, followed by global warming. Vesta
has evidence of large scale catastrophic events, such as galactic
bombardment from extraterrestrial bodies. There is evidence that
water levels on Vesta have fallen. Like earth, Vesta's long history
shows highlights of eras, periods, and episodes leading to many
extinctions and changes. Today, Vesta is completely habitable with
advanced species and an advanced plant life. This is not a barren
planet, thirsty for life. It nurtures life. New coastlines continue
to be formed from the weight of the large ice sheets pressing down
upon the tectonic plates and causing slow but constant raising of
mountains and coastlines. The continent of Anoba is rich with prehistoric
flooding records that tell so much about the topographical changes
on the face of Vesta. We are aware that there remain undiscovered
regions on Vesta. Therefore, it is difficult to make a prediction
about future of Vesta. Besides, evolutions are complex and the criteria
for the evolution of a species on Vesta might not be analogous to
that of a species on Earth.
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