Volcanoes In The Solar System

Question 1

Requirements for Volcanism in the Solar System

Answer 1

1. Heat !
   - Primordial Heat
   - Radiogenic Heat
   - Tidal Heat
   - Solar Heat
2. Something to Melt

Question 2

What do the surfaces on the Moon say about volcanism?

Answer 2

Darker Spots show “mare basins” of low viscocity flood basalt flows.

Lighter Spots show plutonic igneous rock (Anorthosite)

Question 3

Volcanism on the Moon

Answer 3

Extinct, No Volcanic Mountain Chain, No evidence of Plate Tectonics, shows evidence of old basaltic volcanism in larger craters on thin crust, VERY little water.

Question 4

Volcanic Features on Moon

Answer 4

Flow fronts, Wrinkle Ridges, Sinuous Rilles (lava tubes/channels), Dark Mantling Deposits & Pyroclastic Deposits

Question 5

What does Venus have regarding Volcanism compared to Earth?

Answer 5

Preserved volcanic landforms (> 22,000 in 25% surface)

The main landforms are small shield volcanoes.

Question 6

Volcanic Features of Venus

Answer 6

Long Lava Flows and Channels (Canali), Calderas (Patera; Elliptic), Cluster Domes and Cluster Cone Volcanoes

Question 7

Volcanic Features of Mars

Answer 7

Not Active !
- Shields (Olympus Mons)
- Tholi, smaller, dome shape with steep flanks
- Paterae, low flat shields

Question 8

Why are Mars features not uniformly distributed?

Answer 8

The hot volcanic region in mantle remained fixed.

Question 9

What is so special about one of Jupiter’s Moon, Io?

Answer 9

Most active volcanism in the solar system! (Over 100 centers active)

Question 10

What is unique about Io Volcanism compared to Earth?

Answer 10

Much higher eruption temperatures and sulfur lava flows. (Same and sulfur deposits)

Question 11

What causes heating in Io?

Answer 11

Tidal heat due to eccentric orbit around Jupiter.