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Joints in Venusian lava flows
- Source :
- Journal of Geophysical Research. 97(E8 A)
- Publication Year :
- 1992
- Publisher :
- United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1992.
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Abstract
- The bright polygonal patterns seen in some Magellan images of the volcanic plains are interpreted as joint networks. Several areas displaying such patterns are identified, noting their areal extent, the presence of volcanic features, and the regional topography. Intersection geometries of the lineations defining the polygonal patterns are typical of those found in tensile networks. In addition, the polygonal patterns exhibit no preferred orientation, implying that they are the result of horizontally isotropic stress fields. It is demonstrated that sufficient tensile stresses develop in a cooling Venusian flow to allow joints to form and that the thermal strain predicted is not incompatible with that observed. It is suggested that the tensioned networks are the result of a thermally stressed layer much thicker than a single lava flow. A second model is also considered in which thermal stresses develop as a result of regional elevation of the temperature gradient.
- Subjects :
- Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 01480227
- Volume :
- 97
- Issue :
- E8 A
- Database :
- NASA Technical Reports
- Journal :
- Journal of Geophysical Research
- Notes :
- JPL-958950
- Publication Type :
- Report
- Accession number :
- edsnas.19920070048
- Document Type :
- Report