Why does plate tectonics occur only on Earth?

Abstract

Plate tectonics governs the topography and motions of the surface of Earth,
\nand the loss of heat from Earth’s interior, but appears to be found uniquely on
\nEarth in the Solar System. Why does plate tectonics occur only on Earth?
\nThis is one of the major questions in earth and planetary sciences research,
\nand raises a wide range of related questions: has plate tectonics ever occurred
\non other planets in the past? How did plate tectonics start on Earth? Will it
\never end? In the absence of plate tectonics, how do planets lose their heat?
\nThis article provides a brief introduction to the ways in which planets lose
\ntheir heat and discusses our current understanding of plate tectonics and the
\nchallenges that lie ahead.