Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Scully; medved; Junior
From Chapter 7 - Impact Craters:

Impact craters are found on both the plains and the highlands of Venus. Schaber et al. [1992] found the spatial distribution of craters to be highly uniform with a size-frequency distribution lower than those of the other terrestrial planets (except that of Earth), indicating a relatively young age of 0.5 Ga. The number of small craters is much smaller than that on other planets because of atmospheric filtering. One theory holds that the majority of Venusian craters appears pristine because the planet was resurfaced 0.5 Ga ago and there has been very little geologic activity and weathering since to degrade and destroy the craters [Schaber et al., 1992]. Phillips et al. [1992] found that the crater size-frequency distributions, locations, and preservation states implied a range of surface ages.
I was wrong to assume old craters from 4 billion years ago. Apparently, half a gigayear is about it. Still, that's pretty old for what we're talking about.
422 posted on 03/15/2002 6:04:01 PM PST by VadeRetro
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 420 | View Replies ]


To: VadeRetro
Every geologist I know prefers to say "billion years ago" or "billion years before present" for the abbreviation "Ga".

I know, I know, splitting hairs, you are technically correct...nevertheless... ;)

426 posted on 03/15/2002 6:56:56 PM PST by Scully
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 422 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson