NASA has made a groundbreaking discovery about Venus, identifying two volcanic eruptions that occurred on the planet in the early 1990s. This revelation comes from an in-depth analysis of data collected by the Magellan mission.
Managed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, the Magellan mission was pivotal in mapping 98 percent of Venus' surface between 1990 and 1992. The mission's images remain the most detailed of Venus to date, offering unparalleled insights into the planet's geology.
This latest finding builds on a historic 2023 discovery where synthetic aperture radar images from Magellan revealed changes to a vent associated with the volcano Maat Mons near Venus' equator. These radar images provided the first direct evidence of a recent volcanic eruption on Venus.
By comparing Magellan's radar images over time, researchers observed changes caused by the outflow of molten rock from Venus' subsurface. This outflow filled the vent's crater and spilled down the vent's slopes, marking significant volcanic activity.
Launched in May 1989, Magellan was the first spacecraft to capture images of Venus' entire surface and made numerous discoveries about the planet. Even as it entered the Venusian atmosphere and disintegrated in 1994, Magellan continued to collect valuable data.
Studying active volcanoes is crucial for understanding a planet's interior dynamics, crust formation, evolutionary path, and potential habitability. The discovery of recent volcanism on Venus provides vital insights into the planet's history and explains why Venus has followed a different evolutionary path compared to Earth.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
