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Science Frontiers ONLINE No. 29: Sep-Oct 1993 |
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Sedimentary rocks on venus?
The Soviet spacecraft Veneras-13 and 14 took photos of the hot surface of Venus from their landing spots beneath the planet's thick cloud cover. The rocky debris surrounding the spacecraft shows, to nearly everyone's surprise, strong evidence of sedimentary, layered structure. The rock formations display ripple marks, thin layering, differential erosion, and even hints of cross-bedding. The vision of ancient seas on Venus leaps to the mind, but according to the Russian scientists, it is far more likely that the sediments were created by winds, episodic volcanism, or repeated meteor strikes.
(Florensky, C.P., et al; "Venera 13 and Venera 14: Sedimentary Rocks on Venus?" Science, 221:57, 1983.)
Reference, Venus harbors many anomalies. See our Catalog: The Moon and the Planets. This book is described here.
 | Two pictures of the surface of Venus taken by the Russian space probe Venera 14. |