NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
On Venus impact basins - Viscous relaxation of topographic reliefThe viscous relaxation with time of the topographic relief of impact basins on Venus is calculated under the assumption that the surface temperature of the planet has been at or near its presently high value since the time of basin formation. The effects of a decrease in effective viscosity with depth and of the partial to complete isostatic compensation of initial topography are included in the model. An impact basin several hundred kilometers or greater in diameter and three billion years old or older should have negligible topographic relief at present. On this basis, the hypothesis that quasi-circular features of low radar backscatter but little topographic relief may be relaxed remnants of ancient impact basins cannot be excluded. However, large quasi-circular depressions on Venus, such as Atlanta Planitia, are unlikely to be remnants of impact basins, because of their current relief, and so some other process should be found to account for them.
Document ID
19820060865
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Solomon, S. C.
(Massachusetts Inst. of Tech. Cambridge, MA, United States)
Stephens, S. K.
(MIT Cambridge, MA, United States)
Head, J. W.
(Brown University Providence, RI, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
September 10, 1982
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 87
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
82A44400
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7297
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-40-002-088
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSG-7081
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-40-002-116
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available