EXAMINING SIZE DIFFERENCES AND GEOLOGIC SETTINGS OF PANCAKE DOMES ON VENUS: POSSIBLE IMPLICATIONS FOR MECHANISMS OF FORMATION

Pancake domes (formally referred to as tholi) are a unique manifestation of volcanism on Venus. However, their mechanisms of formation remain unclear. To help test between possible processes of formation, we have recently started a project to place the domes into a geologic context and, where possible, measure their morphologic properties. Specifically, building on the work of Beck and Lang (2011; GSA Abstracts with programs), we are focusing on pancake domes that exist as isolated features as well as those that occur with coronae. Using radar images and altimetry data from the 1989 NASA Magellan Mission, we are currently mapping domes in each setting in 10° x 10° areas and determining geologic histories for each area. By combining these results with morphologic data, we can see if there are significant differences in timing and properties between isolated domes and coronae companion domes. We ultimately aim to answer whether processes operating to create domes are different than those operating to create isolated domes. Specifically, if the corona is the source feeding the companion dome.