Relaxation of compensated topography and the evolution of crustal plateaus on Venus

Abstract

Crustal plateaus, dominant physiographic features on Venus, likely originate through dynamic mantle processes, although a debate exists on whether they formed by mantle upwellings or downwellings. Regardless of the mode of formation, several observations led to the hypothesis that viscous relaxation may be the driving force behind the apparent evolutionary sequence from a high-standing plateau to a low-standing plateau with elevated margins. We apply analytic and finite element models to test this hypothesis for isostatically compensated topography, as modeling of gravity data suggests that crustal plateaus are presently supported by crustal roots. Geotherm values ≤5 K km-1 combined with a surface temperature of 740 K preclude relaxation within 109 years, while geotherm values ≥20 K km-1 can yield relaxation times of 108 years or less. Hence significant relaxation requires hot conditions in order to occur within the appropriate 1-Gyr timescale set by crustal plateau ages. We also show that a compensated plateau can either retain its shape as it relaxes or become more domical in appearance. Mantle temperatures <1400 K allow strong crust-mantle coupling that hinders flow of crustal material from the center of the plateau and produces domical relaxed profiles. Higher temperatures lead to a relatively inviscid mantle and relaxation that is largely insensitive to topographic wavelength, thus preserving the original topographic shape during relaxation. In either case, relaxation of compensated plateaus does not yield elevated rims. We propose that the state of compensation must be considered variable. Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.