Melt Generation and Evolution of Magmatic Systems in Extensional Settings on Venus: A Semi-Analytical Modeling Approach

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Date

2024-08-07

Authors

Lien, Rudi

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Publisher

University of Oregon

Abstract

The planet Venus appears to be the only geologically active planet in the solar system at present, aside from Earth. This long-sustained activity is reflected by globally distributed tectonic and volcanic features and evidence for ongoing volcanism. Here, I investigate magma production in the interior of Venus to better understand what thermal conditions are required to source active volcano-tectonic interactions. I developed a two-dimensional semi-analytical model to quantify melt production rates and the thermal evolution of the Venusian interior due to thinning of the lithosphere. Results indicate that large-scale melting (10^-5–10^-2 m^3/m^2/yr) is possible under present-day Venusian conditions for a broad range of parameters, although the melt production rates are consistently lower (by at least one order of magnitude) than those at similar geologic settings on Earth. This work characterizes the interior processes that may drive magmatism, volcanism, and tectonism on Venus, which has greater implications for planet evolution.This thesis includes unpublished co-authored material.

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Keywords

Extensional Tectonics, Magmatism, Venus

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