Venus has more volcanoes than previously known, new analysis finds

Sub: Science and tech

Sec: Space sector

Tags: Venus

Context:

Venus appears to be more volcanically active than previously known, according to scientists whose new analysis of decades-old radar images has spotted evidence of eruptions at two additional sites on the surface of Earth’s inhospitable planetary neighbor.

More on news:

The new study builds on previous findings of ongoing Venusian volcanic activity. A 2023 study found that a volcanic vent on Maat Mons in a region called Atla Regio, near the equator, expanded and changed shape during the Magellan mission.
Despite Venus and Earth being very similar in terms of size, mass, chemical composition and internal structure, there are fundamental differences that make Venus an infernal planet.

About the study:

Radar images obtained by NASA’s Magellan spacecraft from 1990 to 1992 indicated large lava flows at these two locations in the Venusian northern hemisphere at the time of the observations.
Magellan mapped 98% of the Venusian surface.
Advances in computing capability have made analyzing Magellan’s radar data easier in recent years.
One of the two sites is a volcano called Sif Mons, which is about 200 miles (300 km) wide and situated in a region called Eistla Regio.
The before-and-after radar images indicate a lava flow amounting to about 12 square miles (30 square km) of rock.
The other site is a large volcanic plain in a region called Niobe Planitia.
The new rock at both locations was estimated to have an average depth between about 10 and 66 feet (three and 20 meters).
The lava flows observed along the western flank of Sif Mons exhibit linear features with sinuous patterns that follow the direction of the maximum slope, generally towards the west.
Regarding the flows in Niobe Planitia, the lava flows appear to originate near small shield volcanoes and extend towards the northeast, also following the direction of the slope.

About Magellan spacecraft:

The Magellan spacecraft was a 1,035-kilogram robotic space probe launched by NASA of the United States, on May 4, 1989.
It aims to map the surface of Venus by using synthetic-aperture radar and to measure the planetary gravitational field.

About Venus:

It is the second-brightest object in the sky after the moon.
It appears bright because of its thick cloud cover that reflects and scatters light.
It is called the Earth’s twin because of their similar sizes.
The planet’s thick atmosphere traps heat and is the reason that it is the hottest planet in the solar system, despite coming after Mercury.
The surface temperatures on Venus can go up to 471 degrees Celsius, which is hot enough to melt lead.
It moves forward on its orbit around the Sun but spins backwards around its axis slowly which implies that on Venus the Sun rises in the west and sets in the East.
One day on Venus is equivalent to 243 Earth days because of its backward spinning, opposite to that of the Earth’s and most other planets.
Venus also does not have a moon and no rings.