Processes forming topography at Atla Regio, Venus

Venus and Earth share a similar size, mass and density, however Venus' high surface temperatures, pressures, dehydrated crust and absence of subduction zones, makes the surface unique. One area which shares similar volcanic landforms to the Earths' is the equatorial highland Alta Regio, which extends from 170°E-220°E 30°N-10°S. The similarity of these volcanic features to Earth based examples, as well as an understanding of the processes which produced them, can help to constrain the deformational mechanisms that may have operated at Atla Regio. This study will aim to compare volcanic topography at Atla Regio to topography observed within the Hawaiian and Cape Verde Archipelagos, Earth to determine if similar deformational processes occurred within Atla Regio. On Earth, three main processes act to produce volcanic topography and include: 1) uplift associated with a mantle plume impinging on the underside of the lithosphere; 2) rifting and volcanism associated with the mantle plume and; 3) volcanic loading, where the extra volcanic mass is compensated by flexure of the lithosphere. An understanding of the processes that gave rise to topography at Atla Regio is fundamental to determine a suitable rheological profile within this area.