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Topography of Venus and earth - A test for the presence of plate tectonicsComparisons of earth and Venus topography by use of Pioneer/Venus radar altimetry are examined. Approximately 93% of the Venus surface has been mapped with a horizontal resolution of 200 km and a vertical resolution of 200 m. Tectonic troughs have been indicated in plains regions which cover 65% of Venus, and hypsometric comparisons between the two planets' elevation distributions revealed that while the earth has a bimodal height distribution, Venus displays a unimodal configuration, with 60% of the planet surface within 500 m of the modal planet radius. The effects of mapping the earth at the same resolution as the Venus observations were explored. Continents and oceans were apparent, and although folded mountains appeared as high spots, no indications of tectonic activity were discernible. A NASA Venus Orbiting Imaging radar is outlined, which is designed to detect volcanoes, folded mountain ranges, craters, and faults, and thereby allow definition of possible plate-tectonic activity on Venus.
Document ID
19820031566
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Head, J. W.
(Brown University Providence, RI, United States)
Yuter, S. E.
(Brown Univ. Providence, RI, United States)
Solomon, S. C.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: American Scientist
Volume: 69
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82A15101
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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