Tepev Mons on Venus: Morphology and elastic bending models

Tepev Mons is a large volcanic structure of about 250 km in diameter with an elevation of 5 km above the surroundings, located at the southwestern edge of Bell Regio. It is surrounded by a moat with a depth of about 0.5 km. If this moat is considered to be caused by bending of the lithosphere due to the load of the volcano, then elastic bending models give limits for the effective flexural rigidity FR and the effective elastic thickness of the lithosphere L: 2 x 10²³ Nm FR 3 x 10²⁴ Nm and 30 km L 100 km. High flexural rigidities are associated with small depressions and large thicknesses of the lithosphere and vice versa.Contribution No 345, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, F.R.G.     

Morphologic and gravimetric investigations of Bell and Eisila Regiones on Venus

Bell Regio is a highland fragment south of Ishtar Terra, extending 1300 km in N-S direction and 900 km in E-W direction. South of this region Eisila Regio is located with an E-W extension of 8000 km and a width of 2000 km. Bell Regio consists of two large massifs: a northern massif with maximum altitudes of 2.5 to 3.0 km above the 6051 km datum and with a semi-corona (other coronae on Venus are associated with volcanic-tectonic processes) and a southern massif with a maximum of 4 to 4.5 km above the datum. The possible shield volcano Tepev Mons of 250 km in diameter is superimposed on the southern massif. It shows a radar dark crater of 40 km diameter on its eastern flank, a crater-like feature of 15 km diameter on the top and a radar bright area extending from the dark crater across the summit. South of Tepev Mons are several volcanic structures with summit depressions. The crest of Bell Regio exhibits a N-S extending fossa system. The whole fresh appearing plain-like area has been classified as rather young compared to other units. Gravity data show a maximum of 33 mGal at Bell Regio and 35 mGal at eastern Eisila Regio. The basins north and south of the highland fragments are associated with gravity lows.Density models have been calculated along the gravity profile Rev. 163 of Pioneer Venus Orbiter across Bell and Eisila Regiones assuming Airy isostatic compensation of the topography and considering several boundary conditions (e.g. mean crustal thickness T<- 100 km). There are two groups of density models in the case of Airy compensation. In the first group global total compensation is assumed along the profile and regional partial compensation for Bell and Eisila Regiones. This solution gives a range of possible models with 10 km <- T <- 100 km and a partial compensation for Bell and Eisila Regiones between 12% and 55%. Thus these two highland fragments show subsurface surplus masses.The second group of models considers for the whole profile total compensation with a global T <- 100 km and a regional very large depth of compensation for Bell and Eisila Regiones, i.e. T > 100 km.The highland of Beta Regio has, like Bell Regio, a N-S rifting system, volcanic structures, a fresh appearing plain-like surface and either deep-seating compensating masses or near surface surplus masses. Bell can be considered as little sister of Beta. The geological and geophysical results imply a volcanic-tectonic uplift over a hot spot. The conditions of Atla Regio in eastern Aphrodite Terra are similar. Thus the existence of volcanic-tectonic uplifts support the important role of hot spot volcanism on Venus.Contribution Nr. 343, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, F.R.G.     

Bouguer gravity profiles across the highland-lowland escarpment on Mars

Selected Bouguer gravity profiles crossing the highland-lowland boundary of Mars are calculated. Density-depth models are presented for two areas. All profiles show an isostatic behaviour of the ancient highlands and the adjacent lowlands. Especially isostasy must be implied for the area of the escarpment. It is found that the whole Elysium dome is also nearly in isostatic equilibrium. These geophysical results and additional geological investigations imply a combination of subcrustal and minor surface erosion associated with relatively small vertical isostatic movements of the crust (sinking) in former highland areas. These processes caused a retreat of the highland escarpment of at least several hundred kilometers.     

Lineament Analysis and Geophysical Modelling of the Alba Patera Region on Mars

Global data sets of images, topography and gravity are available for Mars from several orbiter missions. At the eve of new global data from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), the capabilities of 3D geophysical modelling based on areal topography and gravity data combined with geologic-tectonic image interpretation is demonstrated here. A unique structure is chosen for the model calculations: the Alba Patera volcanic complex at the northern border of the Tharsis rise. Five groups of graben are discriminated: Ceraunius Fossae, Catenae, Tantalus Fossae (radial group) radial to the Tharsis rise, mainly associated to the formation of Tharsis, and Alba and Tantalus Fossae (circular group), younger than the other graben and circular around Alba Patera. Combining 3D elastic flexure of the lithosphere due to a 3D topographic surface load with 3D gravity models results in a rather thick lithosphere (150–200 km) and thick crust (60–100 km). In another model estimate it has been assumed that the circular grabens are induced by the stresses from the surface load of Alba Patera. In a first order calculation the surface stresses under a point load have been determined resulting in a good correlation of the stress maximum with the location of the circular grabens for a 50-km thick lithosphere. This is in accordance with earlier results from this method, but in contradiction with the thick lithosphere derived from flexure-gravity models. One possibility for this contradiction may be that the different models represent two evolutionary points of Alba Patera. (1) The correlation of stresses with the circular grabens may represent an older stage of evolution with a thinner lithosphere. (2) The flexure-gravity models represent a younger to present stage with a thick lithosphere. The results of the lithosphere thicknesses are compared with an admittance calculation and different thermal evolution models which determine comparable thicknesses (150 km). More detailed models including 3D stress models should wait for new data sets from MGS. The results from the lineament analysis and geophysical modelling are summarized in an evolution model for Alba Patera.     

Investigations of local Bouguer gravity anomalies of the Apennines and Taurus Mountains of the Moon

Local line-of-sight (LOS) Bouguer gravity anomalies of the Apennines and Taurus Mountains of the Moon have been calculated form low-altitude LOS free-air Doppler gravity profiles. The topography of the mountain areas is reflected by free-air gravity highs indicating no complete isostatic compensation. The resultant Bouguer gravity shows no anomalies for the Apennines, indicating lack of isostatic compensation. For the older Taurus Mountains significant local Bouguer minima of about ? 15 mgal indicate at least partial compensation.If a viscoelastic compensation mechanism (bending of a viscoelastic plate overlying a fluid half-space) is assumed, models for the crustal viscosity as a function of time give limits of the range of possible models from 10²⁴ to 5 × 10²⁵ P at 4.4 × 10⁹ y BP, 10²⁶ – 10²⁷ P at 3.9 × 10⁹ y, and 5 × 10²⁶ – 10²⁸ P at 3.0 × 10⁹ y. For earlier times only a lower bound of 10²⁷ P can be given.Two profiles of the Taurus area have been investigated; they show no significant Bouguer anomalies across the mare basalt patches of Lacus Bonitatis and Sinus Amoris and thus can be used to estimate an upper limit for the basalt thicknesses. For Lacus Bonitatis this limit is 1.3 km; the limit is reached for Sinus Amoris at an average thickness of 0.3 km, with 1.5 km in the centre. Earlier results from DeHon and Waskom are consistent with the gravity data.     

Gravity studies of Aphrodite Terra on Venus

Aphrodite Terra is the largest highland area on Venus of the size of Africa. It is traversed by the Aphrodite-Beta belt of troughs with a length of 21 000 km. There are two other large belts of troughs on Venus: Themis-Atla, 14 000 km long, and Beta-Phoebe, 8000 km long. In this paper, four gravity profiles across Aphrodite Terra are studied and compared with the morphology.Western Aphrodite and Niobe Planitia to the north seem to be in isostatic equilibrium under the assumption of Airy compensation with a mean crustal thickness of T = 50 km. The graben area in the middle part of Aphrodite Terra shows negative isostatic gravity anomalies indicating deficit masses. The adjacent Atla Regio to the east is regionally Airy compensated with T = 50 km, and the mountains Nokomis, Maat and Ozza Montes are locally undercompensated, i.e. they are associated with surplus masses in the depth. Ulfrun Regio, a hilly terrain just east of Atla Regio is Airy compensated with T = 30 km. These results give a mean crustal thickness around 50 km for Aphrodite Terra. The isostatic disturbed zones in the middle of Aphrodite (grabens) and Atla Regio as well as the undercompensated Beta Regio have been associated with recent volcanism from the observation of the concentrations of electrical discharges in these areas. Atla and Beta Regiones are both located at intersections of the systems of troughs described above.Contribution No. 308, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, F.R.G.     

A lunar crustal gravity model across the Triesnecker-Hyginus area,Mare Tranquillitatis,and Mare Fecunditatis

LOS Bouguer gravity anomalies have been calculated from a low altitude LOS free air Doppler gravity profile across northern Mare Fecunditatis, southern Mare Tranquillitatis and the Aridaeus Rille. The Hyginus-Triesnecker area has been included in model calculations, though here only free air anomalies are present. A crustal density model has been fitted to the Bouguer anomalies and to the free air anomalies in the case of the Hyginus-Triesnecker area.On a regional scale northern Fecunditatis has Bouguer anomalies up to 80 mgal and lithostatic stresses of 29 bar and thus is nearly in isostatic equilibrium. Tranquillitatis can be divided into three regions of different crustal structure: (1) northern Tranquillitatis with only minor free air gravity anomalies is more or less in isostatic balance, (2) the southeastern region with Bouguer anomalies to –100 mgal and lithostatic stresses of –73 bar has a considerable mass deficit, (3) the southwestern basin is dominated by the local structure Lamont with a Bouguer maximum of 200 mgal and extremely high lithostatic stresses of 285 bar.The Bouguer minimum of –180 mgal of the Aridaeus area has been modelled by two alternative models: (i) a crustal thickening of 33 km and associated lithostatic stresses of –164 bar, and (ii) a crustal thickening of 20 km plus a low density intrusion. The free air maximum of the Hyginus-Triesnecker area has been fitted by a mantle plug connected with stresses of 116 bar.As the old irregular maria could not sustain large mascon stresses, it has been concluded that the local high stresses of Lamont, Aridaeus, and Hyginus-Triesnecker have been evolved after the impacts of the circular maria. Intrusional activities in these areas could have proceeded to fault zones generated by the large impacts.Contribution No. 211, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, F.R.G.     

Tectonics of the southern escarpment of Ishtar Terra on venus from observations of morphology and gravity

Maxima of calculated topographical line-of-sight (LOS) gravity attractions caused by Ishtar Terra are shifted to the north with respect to the measured LOS free air gravity maxima south of the highland. This implies a tendency to isostatic compensation of central Ishtar and mass surpluses at the continental border and the southern forelands.The following scenario is compatible with the interpretation of the gravity anomalies and morphological features. Relative motions of the lowland Sedna Planitia against continental Ishtar Terra have caused buckling and flat subduction of the lowland lithospheric material. (Deep subduction can be ruled out by thermal reasons). The free air gravity high is modelled by surplus masses of the buckling and of the high density subducting plate. Evidence for this is given by several compressional features like Ut and Vesta Rupes at the southern continental border and ridges at the SW-flanks of Maxwell Montes. It is further supported by several possible volcanic-tectonic depressions located in the southern part of Ishtar. This local interpretation does not necessarily imply the existence of global plate tectonics on Venus like on Earth, but at least limited horizontal movements of the Venusian lithosphere seem to be likely. This result shows that plate recycling must be considered for heat transfer through the lithosphere beside conduction and hot spot volcanism.Contribution No. 273, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, F.R.G.     

Gravity studies of the Tharsis area on Mars

The Tharsis rise on Mars with a diameter of about 8000 km and an elevation up to 10 km shows extensive volcanism and an extensional fracture system. Other authors explained this structure by (I) an uplift due to mantle processes and by (II) volcanic construction. Gravity models of four profiles are in accordance with a total Airy isostatic compensation of the whole rise with mean crustal thicknesses of 50 km and 100 km. But two regions exhibit significant mass deficits: (i) the area between Olympus Mons and the three large Tharsis volcanoes and (ii) central Tharsis. This can be explained by (1) a heated upper mantle, (2) a chemically modified upper mantle, (3) a crustal thickening, or (4) a combination of these three processes. Crustal thickening is mainly a constructional process, but the mass deficit should contribute to a certain degree of uplift causing the extensional area of Labyrinthus Noctis. Gravity modelling results in a different isostatic state of the three Tharsis volcanoes. Pavonis Mons is not compensated, Ascraeus Mons is highly or totally compensated, and Arsia Mons is medium or not compensated. The large, flat volcanic structure Alba Patera has been explained by a hot spot with an evolution of a mantle diapir.The results have shown that the Tharsis rise is a very complex structure. The central and eastern part of the rise is characterized by extensional features and a mass deficit (Extensional Province). The western part is dominated by many volcanic features and a central elongated mass deficit (Volcanic Province). The northern part consists of Alba Patera. It seems unlikely that the whole rise has been generated by one stationary large axisymmetric plume or hot spot. There could have been one or more active hot spots with an evolution in space and time.Contribution Nr. 421, Institut für Geophysik der Universität Kiel, Germany.     

History of the terrestrial planets

A time table showing the history of the terrestrial planets is submitted in this paper. The planetary evolution is presented within the framework of global tectonics, whereby a distinction is made between exogenous and endogenous processes. Beginning with the age of 4.5 × 10⁹ years and extending to the age of 3.0 × 10⁹ years all terrestrial planets are characterized by a primordial-meteoric-vulcanic period. The development of the Moon and Mercury had been terminated with the end of this primordial period. Even until most recent times endogenous mantle processes and exogenous erosion processes shape the lithospheres on Mars, Venus, and the Earth. The Earth represents here the extreme case with highly dynamic plate tectonics. The degree of evolution of a planet is proportional to its mass. This leads to the following evolutionary scheme:

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Zusammenfassung Eine Zeittafel zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der terrestrischen Planeten wird vorgelegt. Die Planetengeschichte wird in den Rahmen einer globalen Tektonik gestellt, wobei exogene und endogene Prozesse unterschieden werden. Von ca. 4.5 bis 3.0 × 10⁹ Jahre werden alle terrestrischen Planeten von einer ur-meteorischen-vulkanischen Periode geprägt. Damit ist für den Mond und den Merkur die Entwicklung im wesentlichen abgeschlossen. Bei dem Mars, der Venus und der Erde formen bis in die jüngste Zeit endogene Mantelprozesse und exogene Erosionsprozesse die Lithosphäre, wobei die Erde den Extremfall mit einer hochdynamischen Plattentektonik repräsentiert. Der Entwicklungsgrad eines Planeten ist proportional seiner Masse. Das führt zu folgendem Entwicklungsschema:

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Résumé Une table chronologique décrivant l'évolution des planètes terrestres est proposée dans cette publication. L'évolution des planètes est présentée dans le cadre de la tectonique globale, où distinction est faite entre processus exogènes et endogènes. Entre environ 4.5 et 3.0 × 10⁹ années toutes les planètes terrestres sont caractérisées par une période primordiale-météorique-volcanique. Le développement de la Lune et de Mercure s'est terminé vers la fin de cette période primordiale. Dans Mars, Vénus et la Terre, les processus endogènes du manteau et une érosion exogène ont formé la lithosphère jusque dans les périodes les plus récentes; la Terre représente le cas extrème avec une tectonique de plaques à caractère dynamique très prononcé. Le degré d'évolution d'une planète est proportionnel à sa masse. Ceci conduit au schéma d'évolution suivant:

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