Large-scale spatial patterns in topography at Alpha Regio, Venus
Abstract
Hypsometric topographic analysis of Magellan altimetry data at Alpha Regio results in a multimodal distribution. Planimetric display of the spatial distribution for altitudes close to each mode reveals large-scale ring-like and crescentic patterns. The latter result from the intersection of horizontal altitude ranges with sloping patterns that are quasi-circular in shape. The spatial patterns of topographic features near Alpha Regio have the following attributes: (1) quasi-circular shapes of individual elements; (2) a hierarchy of distinctive sizes for those elements, with diameters of various elements at approximately 2800, 1500, 500-700, and 200 km; and (3) a large-scale arrangement or pattern in which the 1500-km highland plateau of Alpha Regio is surrounded by a ring of 500-km structures, all of which constitute a 2800-km megastructure. We hypothesize that the intricate patterns of hierarchical scaling for large-scale spatial elements of Venusian topography result from corresponding complexity in Venusian mantle convection.
- Publication:
-
Geophysical Research Letters
- Pub Date:
- July 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1029/95GL00908
- Bibcode:
- 1995GeoRL..22.1901F
- Keywords:
-
- Planetology: Solar System Objects: Venus;
- Tectonophysics: Dynamics;
- convection currents and mantle plumes;
- Tectonophysics: Planetary tectonics (5475);
- Planetology: Solid Surface Planets: Tectonics (8149)