Tectonic Evolution of the Terrestrial Planets
Abstract
The style and evolution of tectonics on the terrestrial planets differ substantially. The style is related to the thickness of the lithosphere and to whether the lithosphere is divided into distinct, mobile plates that can be recycled into the mantle, as on Earth, or is a single spherical shell, as on the moon, Mars, and Mercury. The evolution of a planetary lithosphere and the development of plate tectonics appear to be influenced by several factors, including planetary size, chemistry, and external and internal heat sources. Vertical tectonic movement due to lithospheric loading or uplift is similar on all of the terrestrial planets and is controlled by the local thickness and rheology of the lithosphere. The surface of Venus, although known only at low resolution, displays features both similar to those on Earth (mountain belts, high plateaus) and similar to those on the smaller planets (possible impact basins). Improved understanding of the tectonic evolution of Venus will permit an evaluation of the relative roles of planetary size and chemistry in determining evolutionary style.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- July 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.213.4503.62
- Bibcode:
- 1981Sci...213...62H
- Keywords:
-
- Planetary Evolution;
- Planetary Structure;
- Planetary Surfaces;
- Tectonics;
- Terrestrial Planets;
- Earth Planetary Structure;
- Lithosphere;
- Lunar Craters;
- Mars Surface;
- Moon;
- Venus Surface;
- Lunar and Planetary Exploration; Planets;
- PLANETS;
- TERRESTRIAL PLANETS;
- EVOLUTION;
- TECTONISM;
- COMPARISONS;
- MAPS;
- LITHOSPHERE;
- THICKNESS;
- MANTLES;
- EARTH;
- MOON;
- MARS;
- MERCURY (PLANET);
- SIZE;
- CHEMISTRY;
- HEATING;
- SOURCE MEDIUM;
- RHEOLOGY;
- SURFACE;
- DIAGRAMS;
- PHOTOGRAPHS;
- VENUS;
- TERRAIN;
- SERENITATIS;
- MARE;
- INTERIORS;
- VOLCANISM;
- DATA;
- SCARPS;
- TOPOGRAPHY;
- THARSIS MONTES;
- VALLIS MARINERIS;
- MODELS;
- GRAVITATIONAL PROPERTIES;
- AGES;
- HISTORY;
- GEOLOGY;
- THERMAL EFFECTS;
- CRATERS;
- BASINS;
- DEFORMATION;
- STRUCTURE;
- ANOMALIES;
- IMPACTS;
- MAGMAS;
- CRUSTS;
- DENSITY;
- SHOCK