Processes of crustal formation and evolution on Venus - An analysis of topography, hypsometry, and crustal thickness variations

Processes of crustal formation and evolution are examined, and the role of crustal thickness variation in the production of topography is assessed. Evidence for crustal composition, age, average crustal thickness, and total crustal volume on Venus is reviewed. It is shown that the present crustal volume of Venus is comparable to that of the present earth. The geologic evidence for variations in crustal thickness on Venus are outlined, and specific examples of regions of apparent crustal thickening are assessed. These observations are compared to a simple model of Airy isostasy using global Venus topography and the end-member hypothesis (that the topography of Venus could result solely from crustal thickness variations). Models to account for these observations are proposed.