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Science 4 December 1987:
Vol. 238. no. 4832, pp. 1380 - 1385
DOI: 10.1126/science.238.4832.1380
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Articles

Evidence for Divergent Plate-Boundary Characteristics and Crustal Spreading on Venus

JAMES W. HEAD III 1 and L. S. CRUMPLER 2

1 Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912.
2 Research associate in the Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912.

Detailed examination of the topography and morphology of western Aphrodite Terra reveals numerous features that are similar to terrestrial divergent plate-boundary characteristics. Individual domains between fracturezone-like discontinuities contain a variety of bilaterally symmetrical topographic elements that suggest that topographic features have been created at rise crests, rifted and separated, and moved laterally to their present symmetrical positions. The topographic and morphologic similarities, together with strikingly similar mirror-image map patterns on both sides of the rise axis, suggest that western Aphrodite Terra shares the characteristics of oceanic divergent plate boundaries, and is the site of crustal spreading on Venus. Topographic profiles are consistent with spreading rates of the order of several centimeters per year.

Submitted on May 7, 1987
Accepted on October 28, 1987


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Tectonics and Volcanism of Eastern Aphrodite Terra, Venus: No Subduction, No Spreading.
V. L. Hansen, V. L. Hansen, and R. J. Phillips (1993)
Science 260, 526-530
   Abstract »    PDF »
Fundamental Issues in the Geology and Geophysics of Venus.
S. C. Solomon, S. C. SOLOMON, and J. W. HEAD (1991)
Science 252, 252-260
   Abstract »    PDF »
Magellan: Initial Analysis of Venus Surface Modification.
R. E. Arvidson, R. E. ARVIDSON, V. R. BAKER, C. ELACHI, R. S. SAUNDERS, and J. A. WOOD (1991)
Science 252, 270-275
   Abstract »    PDF »
Venus Southern Hemisphere: Geologic Character and Age of Terrains in the Themis-Alpha-Lada Region.
D. B. Campbell, D. B. CAMPBELL, D. A. SENSKE, J. W. HEAD, A. A. HINE, and P. C. FISHER (1991)
Science 251, 180-183
   Abstract »    PDF »
Venus: A Contrast in Evolution to Earth.
W. M. Kaula and W. M. Kaula (1990)
Science 247, 1191-1196
   Abstract »    PDF »


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