Comparison of observed and predicted gravity profiles over Aphrodite Terra, Venus

Journal Article · Thu Jan 10 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/90JB01853· OSTI ID:5586837

Black, M T ^[1]; Zuber, M T ^[2]; McAdoo, D C ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Maryland, College Park (USA)
2. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD (USA)
3. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Rockville, MD (USA)

The authors compare observed Pioneer Venus orbiter (PVO) gravity profiles over Aphrodite Terra to profiles predicted from models of thermal isostasy, mantle convection, and Airy compensation. Similar approaches are used in order to investigate how well the models can be distinguished with the PVO data. Topography profiles across Aphrodite are compared to model spreading ridge profiles in order to further assess this model. Airy compensation depths and convection layer thicknesses are greater under eastern Aphrodite than western Aphrodite. Compensation depths in the east are greater than most estimates of lithospheric thickness, suggesting that this part of the ridge is dynamically supported. In parts of western Aphrodite, the spreading ridge model gravity provides a better fit to the data than either Airy compensation or mantle convection. Best-fit spreading rates are between 0.3 and 1.6 cm/yr. Airy compensation and mantle convection cannot be distinguished in most places using only PVO data.

• OSTI ID: 5586837
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 96:B1; ISSN JGREA; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AIRY FUNCTIONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONVECTION
DEPTH
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
FUNCTIONS
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GEOLOGY
GEOMORPHOLOGY
GRAVITATIONAL FIELDS
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
ORIGIN
PLANETARY EVOLUTION
PLANETS
SOLAR SYSTEM EVOLUTION
TECTONICS
THICKNESS
TOPOGRAPHY
VENUS PLANET