Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Published:

A comparison of volcanic eruption processes on Earth, Moon, Mars, Io and Venus

Abstract

The silicate planets and satellites display a wide range of physical, chemical and atmospheric characteristics which may influence the nature of volcanism, a major geological process common to the evolution of the surfaces of these bodies. Consideration of the process of magma ascent and eruption from first principles allows predictions to be made concerning volcanic eruption styles and expected landforms and deposits on each planetary body. Examination of actual land-forms and deposits in light of these predictions leads to a better understanding of the nature of volcanic eruption processes and outlines outstanding problems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Basaltic volcanism study project Basaltic Volcanism on the Terrestrial Planets (Pergamon, New York, 1981).

  2. Head, J. W. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 14, 265–300 (1976).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Carr, M. H. J. geophys. Res. 78, 4049–4062 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Greeley, R. & Spudis, P. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 19, 13–41 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Strom, R. G., Trask, N. J. & Guest, J. E. J. geophys. Res. 80, 2478–2507 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Phillips, R. J. & Malin, M. C. in Venus (eds Hunten, D. M., Colin, L. & Donahue, T. M.) (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, in the press).

  7. Solomon, S. C. & Head, J. W. J. geophys. Res. 87, 9236–9246 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ramberg, H. Deformation and the Earth's Crust as Studied by Centrifuged Models (Academic, New York, 1967).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Weertman, J. J. geophys. Res. 76, 8544–8553 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Elder, J. The Bowels of the Earth (Oxford University Press, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  11. Fedotov, S. A. Int. geol. Rev. 6, 671–680 (1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Marsh, B. D. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A288, 611–625 (1978).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Marsh, B. D. & Kantha, L. H. Earth planet. Sci. Lett. 39, 435–443 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Marsh, B. D. Am. J. Sci. 282, 808–855 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Weertman, J. J. geophys. Res. 76, 1171–1183 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Johnson, A. M. & Pollard, D. D. Tectonophysics 18, 261–309 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  17. Pollard, D. D. & Muller, O. H. J. geophys. Res. 81, 975–984 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Shaw, H. R. in Physics of Magmatic Processes (ed. Hargraves, R. B.) (Princeton University Press, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Spera, F.J. in Physics of Magmatic Processes (ed. Hargraves, R. B.) (Princeton University Press, 1980).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Fedotov, S. A. Int. geol. Rev. 20, 33–48 (1978).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Hardee, M. C. & Larson, D. W. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 2, 299–308 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Delaney, P. T. & Pollard, D. D. U.S. geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 1202, 1–61 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Solomon, S. C. Proc. 6th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 1021–1042 (1975).

  24. Davies, P. A. & Stephenson, A. Phys. Earth planet. Int. 14, P13–16 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Wilson, L. & Head, J. W. J. geophys. Res. 86, 2971–3001 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Shaw, H. R. & Swanson, D. A. Proc. 2nd Columbia River Basalts Symp. (E. Washington State College Press, Cheney, 1970).

    Google Scholar 

  27. McGetchin, T. R. & Ullrich, W. G. J. geophys. Res. 78, 1833–1853 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  28. Housley, R. M. Proc. 9th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 1473–1484 (1978).

  29. Pai, S. I., Hsu, Y. & O'Keefe, J. A. Proc. 9th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 1485–1508 (1978).

  30. Wilson, L., Sparks, R. S. J. & Walker, G. P. L. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 63, 117–148 (1980).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Kieffer, S. W. J. geophys. Res. 82, 2895–2904 (1977).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Kieffer, S. W. & Delaney, J. M. J. geophys. Res. 84, 1611–1620 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Wilson, L. & Head, J. W. Lunar planet. Sci. 12, 1194–1196 (1981).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Mouginis-Mark, P. J., Wilson, L. & Head, J. W. J. geophys. Res. 87, 9890–9904 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  35. Head, J. W., Wilson, L. & Mouginis-Mark, P. J. Int. Conf. on Venus Environment, Palo Alto, California (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Lunar planet. Sci. 13, 312–313 (1982).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Bennett, F. D. Am. J. Sci. 274, 648–661 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. Wilson, L. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 8, 297–313 (1980).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. Wilson, L., Sparks, R. S. J., Huang, T. C. & Watkins, N. D. J. geophys. Res. 83, 1829–1836 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. Settle, M. J. Volcanol. Geotherm. Res. 3, 309–324 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. Sparks, R. S. J., Wilson, L. & Hulme, G. J. geophys. Res. 83, 1727–1739 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. Morabito, L. A., Synnot, S. P., Kuperman, P. N. & Collins, S. A. Science 204, 972–976 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Cook, A. F., Shoemaker, E. M. & Smith, B. A. Nature 280, 743–746 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  44. Smith, B. A., Shoemaker, E. M., Kieffer, S. W. & Cook, A. F. Nature 280, 738–743 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kieffer, S. W. in Satellites of Jupiter (ed. Morrison, D.) (University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1982).

    Google Scholar 

  46. Strom, R. G., Schneider, N. M., Terrile, R. J., Cook, A. F. & Hansen, C. J. geophys. Res. 86, 8593–8620 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. Reynolds, R. T., Peale, S. J. & Cassen, P. Icarus (in the press).

  48. Peale, S. J., Cassen, P. & Reynolds, R. T. Science 203, 892–894 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Blake, S. Nature 289, 783–785 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  50. Hulme, G. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 39, 361–383 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  51. Moore, H. J., Arthur, D. W. G. & Schaber, G. G. Proc. 9th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 3351–3378 (1978).

  52. Rutherford, M. J. & Hess, P. C. Lunar planet. Sci. 12, 915–917 (1981).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  53. Fink, J. Geology 8, 250–254 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  54. Plescia, J. B. Icarus 45, 586–601 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  55. Hulme, G. Mod. Geol. 4, 107–117 (1973).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  56. Hulme, G. Geophys. Surv. 5, 245–279 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  57. Hulme, G. & Fielder, G. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A285, 227–234 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  58. Walker, G. P. L. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A274, 107–118 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  59. Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Lunar Planet. Sci. 12, 427–429 (1981).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  60. Whitford-Stark, J. L. Earth Sci. Rev. 18, 109–168 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  61. Mouginis-Mark, P. J., Zisk, S. H. & Downs, G. S. Nature 297, 546–550 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  62. Carr, M. H., Greeley, R., Blasius, K. R., Guest, J. E. & Murray, J. B. J. geophys. Res. 82, 3985–4015 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  63. Schaber, G. G., Horstman, K. C. & Dial, A. L. Proc. 9th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 3433–3458 (1978).

  64. Sparks, R. S. J. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 3, 1–37 (1978).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Sparks, R. S. J., Pinkerton, H. & Hulme, G. Geology 4, 269–271 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  66. Pinkerton, H. & Sparks, R. S. J. J. Volcanol. geotherm. Res. 1, 167–182 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  67. Wadge, G. Geology 6, 503–506 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  68. Malin, M. C. Geology 8, 306–308 (1980).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  69. Sagan, C. Nature 280, 750–753 (1979).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Greeley, R., Fink, J. & Park, S. Trans. Am. geophys. Un. 62, 1080 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  71. Baloga, S. M., Pieri, D. C., Sagan, C. & Nelson, R. M. Trans. Am. geophys. Un. 62, 1080 (1981).

    Google Scholar 

  72. Landau, L. D. & Lifshitz, E. M. Fluid Mechanics (Pergamon, New York, 1959).

    Google Scholar 

  73. Clough, B. J., Wright, J. V. & Walker, G. P. L. Nature 289, 49–50 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  74. Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Volcanic Processes on Venus (in preparation).

  75. Mutch, T. A., Arvidson, R. E., Jones, K. L., Head, J. W. & Saunders, R. S. The Geology of Mars (Princeton University Press, 1976).

    Google Scholar 

  76. Carr, M. M. The Surface of Mars (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1981).

    Google Scholar 

  77. Barsukov, V. L. Pap. at 13th lunar planet. Sci. Conf. Houston, Texas (1982).

    Google Scholar 

  78. Morton, B. R., Taylor, G. & Turner, J. S. Proc. R. Soc. A234, 1–23 (1956).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  79. Wilson, L. Geophys. J. R. astr. Soc. 45, 543–556 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  80. Ward, A. W. J. geophys. Res. 84, 8147–8166 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  81. Reimers, C. E. & Komar, P. D. Icarus 39, 88–110 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  82. Scott, D. M. & Tanaka, K. L. Rep. planet. Geol. Prog. 1980 NASA-TM 82385, 255–257 (1980).

  83. Morris, E. C. Rep. planet. Geol. Prog. 1980 NASA-TM 82385, 252–254 (1980).

  84. Petersen, C. M. Lunar planet. Sci. 12, 828–829 (1981).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  85. Wilson, L. & Head, J. W. Lunar planet. Sci. 12, 1191–1193 (1981).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  86. Carr, M. H., Masursky, H., Strom, R. G. & Terrile, R. J. Nature 280, 729–733 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  87. Self, S. & Sparks, R. S. J. Bull. Volcan. 41, 1–17 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  88. Walker, G. P. L. Geol. Rdsch. 62, 431–446 (1973).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  89. Blackburn, E. A., Wilson, L. and Sparks, R. S. J. J. geol. Soc. Lond. 132, 429–440 (1976).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  90. Self, S., Wilson, L. and Nairn, I. A. Nature 277, 440–443 (1979).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  91. Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Proc. 10th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 2861–2897 (1979).

  92. Swanson, D., Wright, T. L. & Helz, R. T. Am. J. Sci. 275, 877–905 (1975).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  93. Garvin, J. B., Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Lunar planet. Sci. 13, 253–254 (1982).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  94. Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Lunar planet. Sci. 13, 312–313 (1982).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  95. Scott, D. H. & Tanaka, K. L. J. geophys. Res. 87, 1179–1190 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  96. Schultz, P. H. & Lutz-Garihan, A. B. 3rd int. Colloq. on Mars, Lunar and Planetary Institute Contr. No. 441, 229–231 (1981).

  97. Greeley, R. Moon 3, 289–314 (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  98. Strain, P. & El-Baz, F. Moon 16, 221–229 (1976).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  99. Lucchitta, B. K. Proc. 4th lunar Sci. Conf. 149–162 (1973).

  100. Head, J. W. Proc. 5th lunar Sci. Conf. 207–222 (1974).

  101. Colgate, S. A. & Sigurgeirsson, T. Nature 244, 552–555 (1973).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Schmincke, H.-U. Geol. Jahrb. A39, 3–45 (1977).

    Google Scholar 

  103. Peckover, R. S., Buchanan, D. J. & Ashby, D. E. T. Nature 245, 307 (1973).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  104. Heiken, G. & McKay, D. S. Proc. 5th lunar Sci. Conf. 843–860 (1974).

  105. Heiken, G. & McKay, D. S. Proc. 8th lunar Sci. Conf. 3243–3255 (1977).

  106. Sato, M. Proc. 7th lunar Sci. Conf. 1323–1344 (1976).

  107. Chou, C. L., Boynton, W. V., Sundberg, L. L. & Wasson, J. T. Proc. 6th lunar Sci. Conf. 1701–1727 (1975).

  108. Meyer, C., McKay, D. S., Anderson, D. H. & Butler, P. Proc. 6th lunar Sci. Conf. 1673–1699 (1975).

  109. Cirlin, E. M., Housley, R. M. & Grant, D. W. Proc. 9th lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 2049–2063 (1978).

  110. Garvin, J. B., Head, J. W. & Wilson, L. Icarus 52, 365–372 (1982).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Ahrens, T. J. Adv. Space Res. 1, 177–187 (1981).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. Goettel, K. A., Shields, J. A. & Decker, D. A. Proc. 12th Lunar planet. Sci. Conf. 1507–1516 (1981).

  113. Head, J. W. & McCord, T. B. Science 199, 1433–1436 (1978).

    Article  ADS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wilson, L., Head, J. A comparison of volcanic eruption processes on Earth, Moon, Mars, Io and Venus. Nature 302, 663–669 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1038/302663a0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/302663a0

This article is cited by

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing