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On volcanism and thermal tectonics on one‐plate planets
Author(s) -
Solomon Sean C.
Publication year - 1978
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/gl005i006p00461
Subject(s) - volcanism , lithosphere , geology , planetary surface , planet , extensional tectonics , tectonics , plate tectonics , terrestrial planet , mantle (geology) , mars exploration program , geophysics , astrobiology , extensional definition , earth science , seismology , astronomy , physics
For planets with a single global lithospheric shell or ‘plate’, the thermal evolution of the interior affects the surface geologic history through volumetric expansion and the resultant thermal stress. Interior warming of such planets gives rise to extensional tectonics and a lithospheric stress system conducive to widespread volcanism. Interior cooling leads to compressional tectonics and lithospheric stresses that act to shut off surface volcanism. On the basis of observed surface tectonics, it is concluded that the age of peak planetary volume, the degree of early heating, and the age of youngest major volcanism on the one‐plate terrestrial planets likely decrease in the order Mercury, Moon, Mars.