Coronae on Venus and Mars: Implications for similar structures on Earth

Research Article| March 01, 1995 Coronae on Venus and Mars: Implications for similar structures on Earth Thomas R. Watters; Thomas R. Watters 1Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Daniel M. Janes Daniel M. Janes 2Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Thomas R. Watters 1Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20560 Daniel M. Janes 2Center for Radiophysics and Space Research, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853 Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1995) 23 (3): 200–204. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0200:COVAMI>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Thomas R. Watters, Daniel M. Janes; Coronae on Venus and Mars: Implications for similar structures on Earth. Geology 1995;; 23 (3): 200–204. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0200:COVAMI>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Complex volcano-tectonic structures, referred to as coronae, had not been described until the exploration of the surface of Venus. These large, generally circular structures are characterized by an elevated surface, concentric and radial fracture systems, and extensive volcanism. Thought to be unique to Venus, rare circular features on Mars bear a close resemblance to coronae. The most prominent corona-like feature on Mars is Alba Patera, a broad, low-relief, plateau-shaped volcano-tectonic center surrounded by an annulus of concentric fractures ∼600 km in diameter. A geophysical model for the formation of Venusian coronae involving uplift due to an ascending mantle diapir followed by gravitationally driven relaxation is applied to Mars. The results indicate that Alba Patera could have formed by such a mechanism. The formation of coronae and corona-like features on Venus and Mars from mantle diapirs suggests that similar structures may have formed in Earth's lithosphere. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.