Enceladus, a moon of the planet Saturn, has been found to do something very earth-like; - its ground splits open and apart to create new ground.

The icy satellite of Saturn has recently been discovered to possess vents that produce water vapour but now it is suspected of having earth-like tectonics (the massive plates the continents rest on that move and stimulate earthquakes).

It was NASA’s spacecraft the Cassini that was sent to study the planet on a fly-by mission. It studied both the plates and the water jets, and produced some astounding images of the moon.

The jets, it was discovered, are huge; they extend into Saturn's gravity and also contribute fresh material to the planet's distinct rings.

The 'spreading' effect of the surface is different from that seen on Earth as it extends in only one direction rather than two or more. This type of spreading is rarely seen on Earth and little is understood when it comes to knowing the geology behind it.

Cassini's next flyby of Enceladus will be in November 2009.

Seeing as the search for water beyond Earth and our solar system has seen some increased interest, this is very encouraging; it's hoped that Enceladus holds a habitable, liquid water area under its south pole.