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Continental rifting and the origin of Beta Regio, Venus
Author(s) -
McGill George E.,
Steenstrup Susan J.,
Barton Colleen,
Ford Peter G.
Publication year - 1981
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/gl008i007p00737
Subject(s) - rift , geology , venus , rift zone , volcano , paleontology , mantle (geology) , crust , continental crust , geophysics , tectonics , astrobiology , physics
Topographic maps based on Pioneer Venus altimetry suggest that Beta Regio, an elevated feature centered at 27°N., 282°E., is analogous to domes associated with continental rift systems on Earth. This interpretation is consistent with the commonly quoted analogy between the East African rift system and the topography of the region from Beta Regio southward to Phoebe Regio. If Beta Regio is a dome, major structural uplift of the crust of Venus is implied, suggesting a more dynamic upper mantle than would be the case if Beta Regio were simply a large volcanic construct.