This is a drawing of the Earth's crust.
Click on image for full size
Motions of the Crust of Venus
A thick crust would prevent motion of the surface of Venus. It is not yet clear whether the crust of Venus is thick or thin. The shape of the volcanoes of Venus suggests that over its history, Venus has built a thick crust, like that of Mars.
On the other hand, features found on the surface, listed below, are all evidence that a planet's surface may be in motion. For Venus, these features are present but few, suggesting that if the crust does move, it is not with the same speed, or in the same way, as that of the Earth.
Shop Windows to the Universe Science Store!
Our
online store includes
books on science education,
classroom activities in The Earth Scientist,
mineral and
fossil specimens, and
educational games!
You might also be interested in:
What types of instructional experiences help K-8 students learn science with understanding? What do science educators teachers, teacher leaders, science specialists, professional development staff, curriculum designers, school administrators need to know to create and support such experiences?
...more
Unlike the Earth's crust, the crust of Venus is very rigid. On Earth, the lithosphere can be pushed aside in response to the warmth of the Earth. The crust then subducts, melts, and becomes part of the
...more
One reason scientists think that Venus has a thick crust comes from the shape of the volcanoes of Venus. (This is a different reason than in the case of Mars). In the long time in which the volcanoes exist,
...more
The four main mountain ranges of Venus are named Maxwell Montes, Frejya Montes, Akna Montes, and Danu Montes. These are found on Ishtar Terra. Mountain ranges are formed by the folding and buckling of
...moreThe Magellan mission to Venus confirmed that the surface of Venus is definitely volcanic. As shown in this picture, lava flows extend to hundreds of miles across the plains in the foreground. The surface
...more
Tessera is a unique feature of Venus, and is also known as "complex ridged terrain". These features are found on some of the Venus Plateau Highlands. Tessera is created is by a shortening of the crust.
...moreThis picture shows an example of folding and faulting on Venus. The different patterns of faulting provide evidence of the stress and strain, or pushing and shoving taking place by different parts of the
...more
The feature of Venus' geography called a "Corona" is a deep, curving, trench surrounding an elevated plain. Coronae is the plural term for corona. This is an image of Artemis Corona which is found on Aphrodite
...more
