Livable Planets?

[summoner]

The Earth is about 70% water and 30% land. Does anyone know if a planet that has a larger land mass say 75% land and 25% water would be as vibrant as our own? Would there be enough atmospheric moisture to support large plant populations, or do you think that these areas would be restricted to somewhat near the coasts? The landmass given was only meant as an example, if you have any thoughts on other types of planets please spout off. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width:271px;background-color:#FFF;border:1pxsolid#999"><tr><td colspan="2"><div style="height:35px"><img src="http://banners.wunderground.com/weathersticker/htmlSticker1/language/www/US/MT/Three_Forks.gif" alt="" height="35" width="271" style="border:0px" /></div>

 

[silylene old]

I imagine that if the oceans were small and the land mass large that this would create larger variations in temperature and precipitation than we see here on earth, because there would be less ocean mass to moderate and exhcnage temperature north to south. If you notice, the largest temperature variations (summer to winter) are observed in locations furthest from the ocean, such as Siberia and the American midwest. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><em><font color="#0000ff">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -</font></em> </div><div class="Discussion_UserSignature" align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><em>I really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function.</em></font> </div> </div>

 

[thalion]

Such a planet would also be considerably drier than Earth, and the rainy spots would probably be semiarid by terrestrial standards. I imagine erosion would be slow, and rivers rare and small. Livable, but not a friendly place, IMO.

 

[vogon13]

Pattern of continents and elevation of mountains would be a large effect.<br /><br />Places on earth recieve 1 inch of rain per century, some places recieve 400 inches a year.<br /><br />Some planet configurations, even with modest ocean area, might not be too 'alien'.<br /><br />Some configurations while superficially similar to earth might not be.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[mcbethcg]

It would probably largely depend on other factors like gravity, atmospheric pressure and distance from star/ambient temperature. <br /><br />Could be a really humid hot place that had rain whenever a cold front came in.

 

[harmonicaman]

Oceanside property would also be more expensive than here on Earth...

 

[Swampcat]

The fishing wouldn't be as good <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" />. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font size="3" color="#ff9900"><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>------------------------------------------------------------------- </em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong><em>"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."</em></strong></font></p><p><font size="1" color="#993300"><strong>Thomas Jefferson</strong></font></p></font> </div>

 

[kdavis007]

Nor surfing would be good either...