Abstract
We present a 1:10M scale geologic map of the Aphrodite Map area (AMA) of
Venus (0N-57S /60E-80E). Geologic mapping employed NASA Magellan
synthetic aperture radar and altimetry data. The AMA geologic map, with
detailed structural elements and geologic units covering over one eighth
of Venus’ surface, affords an important and unique perspective to test
models of global scale geologic processes through time. Geologic
relations record a history inconsistent with global catastrophic
resurfacing. The AMA displays a regional coherence of preserved geologic
patterns that record three sequential geologic eras: the ancient era,
the Artemis superstructure era, and the youngest fracture zone era. The
ancient era and Artemis superstructure, with a footprint covering more
than 25 percent of the surface, are recorded in the Niobe map area to
the north. The latter two eras likely overlap in time. The fracture zone
domain, part of a globally extensive province, marks the most spatially
focused tectonomagmatic domain within the AMA. Impact craters are both
cut by, and overprint, fracture zone structures. Twelve percent of AMA
impact craters that occur within the fracture zone domain predate or
formed during fracture zone development. This observation indicates the
relative youth of the fracture zone era and is consistent with the
possibility that this domain remains geologically active. The AMA
records a rich geologic history of large tract of the surface of Venus
and provides an important framework to formulate new working hypotheses
of Venus evolution, and contribute to planning future studies of the
surface of planets.