The Change of Resurfacing Regimes on Venus

摘要

The change of volcanic resurfacing regimes on Venus is discussed. The frequency-size distribution of the regional and lobate plains fields suggest that regional plains had likely been formed due to lava flooding. The geological ratios of impact craters with plains units of different ages are analyzed. Only 3% of the craters located on the older regional plains are found to be embayed by plains material. About 50% of the craters located on the younger lobate plains are found to be embayed by plains lavas. Both the frequency-size distribution of the regional plains fields and the number of embayed craters indicate their catastrophic formation. For lobate plains, these parameters indicate a gradual and time-stretched accumulation of their material. Thus, the volcanic resurfacing regimes must have been changing radically throughout the observable portion of the geological history of Venus.