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Venus volcanism - Initial analysis from Magellan dataMagellan images confirm that volcanism is widespread and has been fundamentally important in the formation and evolution of the crust of Venus. High-resolution imaging data reveal evidence for intrusion (dike formation and cryptodomes) and extrusion (a wide range of lava flows). Also observed are thousands of small shield volcanoes, larger edifices up to several hundred kilometers in diameter, massive outpourings of lavas, and local pyroclastic deposits. Although most features are consistent with basaltic compositions, a number of large pancake-like domes are morphologically similar to rhyolite-dacite domes on earth. Flows and sinuous channels with lengths of many hundreds of kilometers suggest that extremely high effusion rates or very fluid magmas (perhaps komantiites) may be present. Volcanism is evident in various tectonic settings (coronae, linear extensional and compressional zones, mountain belts, upland rises, highland plateaus, and tesserae). Volcanic resurfacing rates appear to be low (less than 2 cu km/yr) but the significance of dike formation and intrusions, and the mode of crustal formation and loss remain to be established.
Document ID
19910048873
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Head, James W.
(Brown University Providence, RI, United States)
Campbell, Donald B.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Elachi, Charles
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Saunders, R. Stephen
(JPL Pasadena, CA, United States)
Guest, John E.
(London, University Observatory; University College, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 12, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 252
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
91A33496
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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