Volcanic activity on Venus has yet to be directly observed, yet recent measurements suggest that it may still be occurring today. This volcanic activity could significantly influence the planet”s climate, particularly in relation to the sulfur cycle, similar to processes observed on Earth. Future missions to Venus aim to directly observe such volcanic phenomena.
Despite the ongoing interest, many aspects of Venusian volcanism remain poorly understood, including the conditions at volcanic vents as well as the composition and volatile content of the eruptions. Previous modeling efforts have primarily focused on the behavior of explosive volcanic plumes under limited parameters, often in an idealized atmospheric context.
In a new study, researchers propose utilizing the one-dimensional FPLUME volcanic plume model to simulate eruptions in a more realistic Venusian environment. Their findings indicate that under similar conditions as those on Venus, the heights of volcanic plumes align with results from earlier modeling efforts, suggesting that explosive eruptions could typically reach altitudes of around 15 kilometers.
Under specific circumstances, these plumes may ascend to the altitude range observable by the VenSpec-H instrument, potentially even reaching the 45-kilometer cloud base. For the first time, the influence of wind on these volcanic plumes has been quantitatively assessed; the super-rotating winds of Venus significantly alter plume dynamics by bending them, which can reduce their maximum height.
Unlike Earth, where atmospheric heat capacity remains relatively stable, on Venus it varies considerably with temperature. This variability can disadvantage smaller plumes that struggle to rise, while allowing larger plumes to extend to greater altitudes. Interestingly, the study also notes that the atmospheric conditions at higher latitudes, characterized by a specific thermal profile and weaker winds, are conducive to achieving greater plume heights.
The research, conducted by Maxence Lefèvre, Matteo Cerminara, and Antonio Costa, spans 23 pages and includes 12 figures and 2 tables. The findings are published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, and contribute to the broader understanding of volcanic activity on other planetary bodies.
As scientists continue to explore the enigmatic geology of Venus, these insights into explosive volcanism may prove critical in understanding not only the planet”s past but also its current geological processes.
