Venus volcanism: Initial analysis from Magellan data
Science
By: J.W. Head, D.B. Campbell, C. Elachi, J. E. Guest, D.P. Mckenzie, R.S. Saunders, G. G. Schaber, and G. Schubert
Links
- The Publications Warehouse does not have links to digital versions of this publication at this time
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Magellan images confirm that volcanism is widespread and has been fundamentally important in the formation and evolution of the crust of Venus. High-resolution imaging data reveal evidence for intrusion (dike formation and cryptodomes) and extrusion (a wide range of lava flows). Also observed are thousands of small shield volcanoes, larger edifices up to several hundred kilometers in diameter, massive outpourings of lavas, and local pyroclastic deposits. Although most features are consistent with basaltic compositions, a number of large pancake-like domes are morphologically similar to rhyolite-dacite domes on Earth. Flows and sinuous channels with lengths of many hundreds of kilometers suggest that extremely high effusion rates or very fluid magmas (perhaps komatiites) may be present. Volcanism is evident in various tectonic settings (coronae, linear extensional and compressional zones, mountain belts, upland rises, highland plateaus, and tesserae). Volcanic resurfacing rates appear to be low (less than 2 km3/yr) but the significance of dike formation and intrusions, and the mode of crustal formation and loss remain to be established.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Venus volcanism: Initial analysis from Magellan data |
| Series title | Science |
| Volume | 252 |
| Issue | 5003 |
| Year Published | 1991 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Science |
| First page | 276 |
| Last page | 288 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |