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The global distribution of giant radiating dike swarms on Venus: Implications for the global stress state
Author(s) -
Grosfils Eric B.,
Head James W.
Publication year - 1994
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 - 10.1029/94gl00592
Subject(s) - geology , dike , lithosphere , venus , volcanism , volcano , graben , seismology , rift , rift zone , stress field , mantle (geology) , geophysics , lineament , magmatism , geodesy , petrology , tectonics , astrobiology , physics , finite element method , thermodynamics
Magellan radar data of Venus reveal 163 large radial lineament systems composed of graben, fissure, and fracture elements. On the basis of their structure, plan view geometry, and volcanic associations, at least 72% are interpreted to have formed primarily through subsurface dike swarm emplacement, the remainder through uplift or a combination of these two mechanisms. The population of swarms is used to determine regional and global stress orientation. The stress configuration recorded from 330–210°E (Aphrodite Terra) is best explained by isostatic compensation of existing long wavelength topography or coupling between mantle flow and the lithosphere. The rest are correlated with concentrations of rifting and volcanism in the Beta‐Atla‐Themis region. The global stress field on Venus is different than that of Earth, where plate boundary forces dominate.