z-logo
Premium
Detectability of Remanent Magnetism in the Crust of Venus
Author(s) -
O'Rourke J. G.,
Buz J.,
Fu R. R.,
Lillis R. J.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2019gl082725
Subject(s) - geology , dynamo , venus , geophysics , rock magnetism , magnetism , thermoremanent magnetization , remanence , crust , volcano , astrobiology , magnetization , paleontology , physics , magnetic field , quantum mechanics
Observations of planetary magnetic fields provide fundamental insights into the origin and evolution of terrestrial planets. However, whether Venus ever hosted a dynamo is unknown. Here we show that crustal remanent magnetism is a potentially observable consequence of an ancient Venusian dynamo, in contrast to previous studies that dismissed this possibility. Past spacecraft measurements only exclude crustal magnetization near the Venera 4 landing site and northward of 50° South latitude for >150‐km coherence scales and strong magnetization intensities. Magnetite grains with sizes commonly observed in volcanic rocks can retain thermoremanent magnetism at Venusian conditions for >1 billion years. Depths to the Curie temperature of magnetite are ~5–40 km and typically less than predicted crustal thicknesses at our analyzed localities. Aerial platforms could detect expected magnetizations at horizontal scales similar to the ~50‐km operating altitude. Any detection would validate models of planetary accretion, geologic processes, and climate history.

This content is not available in your region!

Continue researching here.

Having issues? You can contact us here