Global distribution and characteristics of coronae and related features on Venus - Implications for origin and relation to mantle processes

The increased coverage and resolution of Magellan images and altimetry data have resulted in significant new identifications of coronae and coronalike features and more detailed information on corona morphology, topography, and distribution. The distribution of coronae and coronalike features in Magellan data are assessed in the light of the proposed hotspot origin of these features. The basic characteristics of coronae are then compared with other possible hotspot features on Venus (e.g., major volcanic shields and domelike highlands) in a first-order assessment of the implications of mantle plume-related features on Venus for interior convective processes.