Venus - Global surface radar reflectivity

Observations of the surface of Venus, carried out by the Pioneer Venus radar mapper at a wavelength of 17 centimeters, reveal a global mean reflectivity at normal incidence of 0.13 + or - 0.03. Over the surface, variations from a low of 0.03 + or - 0.01 to a high of 0.4 + or - 0.1 are found, with Theia Mons, previously identified as possibly volcanic, showing a value of 0.28 + or - 0.07. Regions of high reflectivity may consist of rocks with substantial inclusions of highly conductive sulfides.