Aliens may be living in just 4 out of every 10,000 galaxies: Report Produced by: Tarun Mishra Impact of Plate Tectonics  on Evolution Researchers argue that plate tectonics, essential for complex life on Earth, may be crucial for the evolution of intelligent alien civilizations capable of interstellar communication. Earth's Evolutionary Acceleration Plate tectonics began around 1 to 0.5 billion years ago, accelerating the development of complex life during the Cambrian explosion, a pivotal period in Earth's history. Rare Phenomenon in the Universe Earth remains the only known planet with plate tectonics in our solar system. Models suggest it could be rare, especially on exoplanets like super-Earths. Conditions for Complex Life Beyond plate tectonics, planets need the right balance of oceans and continents. Earth's configuration—thin oceans and prominent landmasses—may be unique among planetary types. Estimating Alien Civilizations Using the Drake equation modified by Stern and Gerya, researchers estimate a very small fraction of exoplanets may harbor both plate tectonics and suitable conditions for life to evolve intelligence. The analysis was published on April 12 in the journal Scientific Reports. Drake Equation in Perspective Their calculations suggest between 0.0004% and 0.2% of exoplanets might develop intelligent life capable of technological civilizations, a stark contrast to earlier optimistic estimates. Search Challenges and Missed Signals Despite advances in SETI projects like Breakthrough Listen, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence remains limited, covering only a fraction of potential signals in the galaxy. The Great Filter Hypothesis Stern and Gerya's model aligns with the Great Filter theory, proposing that the scarcity of planets with plate tectonics and suitable environmental conditions could act as a universal bottleneck for evolving intelligent life. Future Prospects and Responsibility While observational data on exoplanets are lacking, the implications are profound. If their hypothesis holds, humanity could be among the few technological civilizations in our galaxy, highlighting the need for careful preservation of our own civilization. The analysis by Stern and Gerya underscores ongoing debates about the prevalence of intelligent life in the universe, emphasizing Earth's potentially unique position in cosmic evolution. Related Stories