Two eruptions: more evidence of ongoing volcanic activity on Venus
Volcanoes apparently erupt on Venus about as frequently as on Earth. Traces of two further eruptions have now been discovered in old measurement data.
Computer-generated representation of Sif Mons
(Image: NASA/JPL-Caltech)
In old measurement data from NASA's Magellan probe, new evidence has now been found that there is significantly more volcanic activity on Venus than long assumed. As the US space agency explains, a research group has discovered evidence of two more volcanoes that are believed to have erupted between 1990 and 1992. This means that the scientists already know of four volcanoes that erupted on the difficult-to-observe planet during this period, which would make the volcanic activity comparable to that of Earth. The team writes that the discoveries could be particularly valuable for the exploration of the second planet in the solar system and provide clues as to which regions should be focused on in future missions.
Four volcanic eruptions in just a few years
The traces of the two volcanic eruptions have now been rediscovered in the archive data of a Magellan radar measuring device. The surface of the planet, which is enclosed by a dense and extremely hot atmosphere, had been scanned several times. Only the precise analysis of this data has now revealed that changes indicating volcanic eruptions have occurred on a total of four mountains. With the discovery now presented, there are now indications that the volcanoes Ozza Mons, Maat Mons and Sif Mions and one in an area called Niobe Planitia erupted in the early 1990s. In the latter, rocks up to 20 m high were piled up, and the group assumes that a total of 30 km³ and 45 km³ of rock were produced.
The research results are presented in the scientific journal Nature Astronomy. Together with the traces of the two other volcanic eruptions presented a year ago, they increase the anticipation of upcoming missions, says co-author Scott Hensley. He is referring in particular to NASA's Veritas probe, which will be equipped with state-of-the-art radar and should therefore be able to detect volcanic activity much better. In addition, the probe with the full name "Venus Emissivity, Radio Science, InSAR, Topography, and Spectroscopy" is to record infrared emissions from the surface of Venus with a sensor from the German Aerospace Center in order to be able to examine the previously largely unknown types of rock.
(mho)