EAS206 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Mantle Plume, Basalt, Sulfur Dioxide

• School: University of Alberta
• Department: Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
• Course: EAS206
• Professor: Chris Herd

Document Summary

Describe the effects that the thick atmosphere of venus has on the geology of the planet. The thick atmosphere is responsible for many features unique to venus. Weathering: chemical reactions between atmosphere and surface rocks. Explain the greenhouse effect and how it applies to venus. 80% of light is reflected back so space. Explain venus" lack of water relative to the earth (assuming the two planets started with the same amount) No evidence for liquid water on surface today. Too hot for liquid water to condense. Summarize the geologic history of venus (as far as we can understand it), including possible changes in tectonic style and surface temperatures. Change from plate tectonics to hot-spot (mantle plume) volcanism, causing global-scale resurfacing. More regional-scale resurfacing of areas 150,000 km^2 at a time) Detected high emissivity regions using an infrared imager around volcanoes. Detected high sulfur dioxide in atmosphere in 2006, followed by a sharp decrease.