Radar scattering properties of pancakelike domes on Venus

Abstract

Magellan radar images have disclosed the presence of a large number of almost perfectly circular domes, presumably of volcanic origin, in many regions of Venus several with diameters of 30 km or more. Their high degree of symmetry has permitted measurements of their shape, as determined by the Magellan altimeter to be compared with models of dome production from the eruption of high-viscosity magmas. In this work, we examine in detail the radar images of domes in Rusalka Planitia (2.8 deg S, 150.9 deg E) and Tinatin Planitia (12.2 deg N, 7.5 deg E), selected for their circular symmetry and apparent absence of modification due to large-scale slumping or tectonic rifting