Venus: Estimation of age of impact craters on the basis of degree of preservation of associated radar-dark deposits

Abstract

Venus impact craters larger than 5 km in diameter (∼90% of all craters) have been classified based on the presence and prominence of associated radar-dark deposits. Approximate estimates of the absolute age of craters of different morphologic classes are made. Analysis of age relations of dated craters and volcanic and tectonic structures permits the estimation of the age and duration of different volcanic and tectonic events.