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Could plate tectonics on Venus be concealed by volcanic deposits?
Author(s) -
Kaula W. M.,
Muradian L. M.
Publication year - 1982
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/gl009i009p01021
Subject(s) - geology , volcanism , venus , plate tectonics , lava , tectonics , volcano , lithosphere , geophysics , seismology , petrology , astrobiology , physics
The low upper limit on heat removal by plate tectonics inferred by Kaula and Phillips [1981] has been questioned on the grounds that volcanic deposits may conceal the characteristic shape of topography arising from plate tectonic spreading. But a quantitative analysis indicates that volcanism sufficient for concealment must bring a major part of the heat to the surface, thus making plate tectonics the secondary process for heat removal. This inference is reinforced by consideration of the topographic structure and thickness of lava flows necessary. It thus appears that the principal process bringing heat to the surface of Venus is either lithospheric conduction or lava flows.