Venus geology and tectonics - Hotspot and crustal spreading models and questions for the Magellan mission

• Published in: Nature (London) Vol. 346; no. 6284; pp. 525 - 533
• Main Authors: Head, James W., Crumpler, L. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Legacy CDMS Nature Publishing 09.08.1990; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: Cosmochemistry. Extraterrestrial geology; Earth; Earth mantle; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Extraterrestrial geology; Geologic mapping; Geological mapping; Geological processes; Geology; Gravity; Ground-based observation; Hot spots (geology); Lithosphere; Lunar And Planetary Exploration; Moon; Orogeny; Plate tectonics; Rift zones; Spacecraft; Spreading; Tectonics; Tectonics. Structural geology. Plate tectonics; Topography; Venus; Venus surface; Volcanoes; Cartography; Rift zones; Lithosphere; Hot spot; Hot spots; Orogenic belts; Altimetry; Thickness; Thermal properties; Volcano; Terrestrial comparison; Dynamics; Venus; Rift zone; Volcanoes; Mantle; Radar methods; Expansion; Plate tectonics
• ISSN: 0028-0836; 1476-4687
• DOI: 10.1038/346525a0

Spacecraft and ground-based observations of Venus have revealed a geologically young and active surface - with volcanoes, rift zones, orogenic belts and evidence for hotspots and crustal spreading - yet the processes responsible for these features cannot be identified from the available data. The Magellan spacecraft will acquire an unprecedented global data set which will provide a comprehensive and well resolved view of the planet. This will permit global geological mapping, an assessment of the style and relative importance of geological processes, and will help in the understanding of links between the surface geology and mantle dynamics of this earth-like planet.