Akewa Dorsa

Akiko

Apakura

Tholus

Asintmah Corona

Benzozia

Corona

Cerridwen

Corona

Clementina

Yambika

Dutrieu

Patera

Embla

Coronae

F ornax 

R u p e

s

GANIKI PLANITIA

Garland

Patera

Izumi

Patera

L a h e v h e

v 

T e

s s e

r a

e

Athena 

Tesserae

Lisa

Madalait

Corona

Nadira

Nemesis

Nemesis Tesserae

Tesserae

Neyterkob

Corona

Nijole

Mons

Nimba

Corona

Ninisinna

Mons

Olivia

Qakma

Corona

Raymonde

Razia Patera

Shala

Mons

Ugne

Unitkak

Waka Mons

Xtoh

Mons

Yablochkina

Baltis Vallis

Ganis Chasma

Uleken

Ahsonnutli Dorsa

Embla 

Coronae

75°

50°

25°

75°

25°

–25°

0°

50°

0°

90° 120° 150° 180° 210° 240° 270°

–25°

–50° –50°

–75° –75°

QUADRANGLE LOCATION

Photomosaic showing location of map area. An outline of 

1:5,000,000-scale quadrangles is provided for reference.

V–1

V–26 V–27 V–25

V–37

V–62

V–38

V–24

V–23

V–12

V–11

V–13

V–4

V–36 V–39

V–15

V–48 V–51

V–14

V–49 V–50

V–5

V–58 V–59

V–3 V–6

V–57 V–60

V–16

V–47 V–52

V–28

V–35 V–40

SCALE 1:4 711 886 (1 mm = 4.712 km) AT 25° LATITUDE

1:5 000 000 AT 34° and 73° LATITUDES

LAMBERT PROJECTION

50°

60°

75°

70°

65°

55°

500 400 300 200 100 0 100 200 300 400 500 KILOMETERS

195°

200°

205°

210°

25°

30°

35°

45°

50°

40°

180°

50°

45°

40°

35°

30°

25°

185°

190° 195° 200°

205°

210°

180°

185°

190°

Prepared on behalf of the Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, 

Solar System Exploration Division, Office of Space Science, National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration

Edited by Carolyn A. Donlin; cartography by Darlene A. Ryan

Manuscript approved for publication March 6, 2010

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive 

purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

For sale by U.S. Geological Survey, Information Services, Box 25286, 

Federal Center, Denver, CO, 80225, 1–888–ASK–USGS

Digital files available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3121

Printed on recycled paper

Prepared for the

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Map 3121

Atlas of Venus: Ganiki Planitia Quadrangle (V–14)

Pamphlet accompanies map

Geologic Map of the Ganiki Planitia Quadrangle (V–14), Venus

By

Eric B. Grosfils1, Sylvan M. Long1, Elizabeth M. Venechuk1, Debra M. Hurwitz1,

Joseph W. Richards2, Brian Kastl1, Dorothy E. Drury3, and Johanna Hardin2

2011

1

Geology Department, Pomona College, Claremont, CA

2

Department of Mathematics, Pomona College, Claremont, CA

3

Department of Theatre and Dance, Pomona College, Claremont, CA

SEQUENCE OF MAP UNITS AND MAJOR STRUCTURAL EVENTS

LOCAL PLAINS UNITS IMPACT CRATERS CORONAE AND CANALI MAJOR VOLCANOES

REGIONAL

PLAINS UNITS

HEAVILY

DEFORMED

UNITS

EDIFICE AND

CORONA UNITS

IMPACT

UNITS

STRUCTURAL

DEFORMATION

PRECURSOR PERIOD 1 PERIOD 2 PERIOD 3

Yablochkina

Olivia

Akiko

Clementina

Unitkak

Apakura

Shala

Waka

Lisa

Raymonde

Ugne

Uleken Nadira Baltis Madalait Razia

Xtoh

Izumi

Nijole

Dutrieu

Nimba Cerridwen

Neyterkob

Yambika

Benzozia

Embla

Qakma

Garland

Ninisinna

DESCRIPTION OF MAP UNITS

HEAVILY DEFORMED UNITS

Deformation belt material—Smooth material of low to intermediate radar 

backscatter (–15.24 dB mean) covering 55.1 x 103 km2, largely located in the 

north-central and northeastern parts of the quadrangle. Characterized by high 

degrees of contractional (early phase) deformation, plus later extensional 

deformation, aligned subparallel to the trend of an elongated topographic rise 

(+230 m mean elevation). Embayed by all other materials with which it is in 

contact. Type locality: lat 44.3° N., long 195.5° E. Interpretation: Old plains 

material heavily deformed by compressive stress, presumed volcanic in origin, 

preserved as elevated kipukas within younger, less deformed units

Tessera terrain—High (–12.31 dB) mean radar backscatter coefficient material 

covering 0.39 x 106 km2; includes parts or all of Nemesis, Athena, and 

Lahevhev. Deformed by at least two intersecting sets of short-wavelength, 

ridge-and-trough style lineaments, to the extent that precursor materials can no 

longer be identified. Deformation often uniform locally and sometimes regionally. Commonly crosscut by longer lineaments, and interior may contain 

younger volcanic flows. High standing, with a mean elevation of +400 m 

relative to quadrangle norm. Older than all other materials with which it is in 

contact. Type locality: lat 41.0° N., long 186.0° E. Interpretation: Old, 

complexly deformed material that largely records strain predating emplacement of regional plains and other materials

LOCAL PLAINS UNITS

Homogeneous plains material—Very low backscatter material (–19.45 dB mean) 

covering 14.8 x 106 km2, at a single location on the flanks of a large domical 

rise in the north-central part of the quadrangle. Characterized by feathery 

margins, a lack of internal texture, and unusually high RMS slope for a unit 

that shows minimal to no surface deformation. Emplaced at a mean elevation 

of +340 m, interaction with older units and structures, which it appears to 

either embay or mantle, indicates variable thickness within the unit. Embays 

units t, pr2, and ps, and occupies the youngest stratigraphic position within the 

quadrangle. Type locality: lat 44.5° N., long 193.5° E. Interpretation: Possible 

pyroclastic flow deposit

Shield plains material—Mottled material with highly variable but generally low 

radar backscatter (–16.36 dB mean), covering 0.55 x 106 km2 at locations 

throughout the quadrangle. Characterized by a high density of small (<20 km) 

edifices, largely with shield morphology, and overlapping aprons of erupted 

material. Minimally deformed, the smooth material occurs most often within 

coronae or as large isolated patches. With a mean elevation of +40 m, the unit’s 

mean topography is indistinguishable from that of the quadrangle as a whole. 

Unit ps materials are superimposed upon units pr1, pr2, pr3, pl, bl, co, and t, 

and they are in turn embayed by units ph and fe. Type locality: lat 44.3° N., 

long 197.3° E. Interpretation: Young volcanic plains formed largely of 

overlapping lavas erupted from locally dense concentrations of small shield 

volcanoes

Lahevhev hummocky plains material—Narrow zone of material with very high 

radar backscatter (–12.21 dB mean) covering 12.5 x 103 km2 in the southeastern corner of the quadrangle. Material is characterized by hummocky topography, with elongate peaks and troughs at ~10 km wavelength, and has been cut 

by a dense network of extensional lineaments. The hummocks and the lineaments are parallel to the long dimension of the unit as a whole, co-aligned with 

those in unit pLl, and are generally orthogonal to extensional lineaments in 

adjacent tessera. Patches of late-stage volcanic material occupies lower areas. 

With a mean elevation of –50 m, the material lies 500–700 m below the 

surrounding tessera. Superimposed on unit t, synchronous (based on cross 

cutting and superposition relationships) with unit pLl, and embayed by unit 

pr2. Type locality: lat 28.3° N., long 187.5° E. Interpretation: Material is the 

end product of a localized sequence of volcanic eruption and oblique extension 

that has rifted apart a major block of Lahevhev Tessera

Lahevhev lineated plains materials—Material with very high radar backscatter 

(–12.41 dB mean) covering 0.15 x 106 km2 in the southeastern corner of the 

quadrangle. Characterized by expanses of smooth plains cut by locally dense 

concentrations of extensional lineaments, often organized into sinuous bands 

tens to hundreds of kilometers long that are co-aligned with the lineaments in 

pLh. The mean elevation, +400 m, is similar to but slightly lower than the 

adjacent tessera. Superimposed on unit t, synchronous (based on crosscutting 

and superposition relationships) with units pLh and pr1, and embayed by unit 

pr2. Type locality: lat 27.0° N., long 190.0° E. Interpretation: An elevated 

expanse of older plains, presumed volcanic, fractured by oblique extension

Ganis Chasma material—Smooth material with high radar backscatter (–12.08 dB 

mean) covering 0.16 x 106 km2 in the southwestern part of the quadrangle. 

Largely predates extensional deformation defining Ganis Chasma rifting, but 

materials are younger in small patches. Locally the oldest unit, occurs at very 

high elevations (+620 m mean elevation, highest in quadrangle), and is 

embayed by units pr1 and pr2. Type locality: lat 26.5° N., long 182.0° E. Interpretation: Old plains material, presumably volcanic in origin, that predates the 

structural deformation and uplift characterizing Ganis Chasma

Lineated plains material—Smooth material of variable but generally high radar 

backscatter (–14.28 dB mean) covering 0.33 x 106 km2, largely located in the 

central and southern parts of the quadrangle. Deformed by numerous short, 

subparallel extensional lineaments, generally aligned E–W; occasionally 

deformation also cuts adjacent tessera or occurs in association with corona 

topography. Often contains numerous small (<20 km) shield volcanoes. Mean 

elevation is +110 m. Superimposed on units t and bl, and embayed by units 

pr1, pr2, pr3, ps, and fe. Type locality: lat 31.6° N., long 181.6° E. Interpretation: Old plains material, densely fractured and presumed volcanic in origin, 

preserved as elevated kipukas within younger, less deformed units

REGIONAL PLAINS UNITS

Regional plains material, 3—Material with intermediate backscatter (–15.46 dB 

mean), covering 0.61 x 106 km2 of the quadrangle, largely in the northeast 

corner. Characterized by a distinctively uniform, featureless texture. Extensively deformed by contractional lineaments but by very few extensional 

lineaments. Mean elevation, at –450 m, is the lowest in the quadrangle. Superimposed on units t, bl, pl, cof, and pr2, and embayed by unit ps and all unit fe

it abuts (except Xtoh Mons). Type locality: lat 44.0° N., long 205.3° E. Interpretation: Youngest episode of regional volcanic plains, which occupies lowest 

areas and predominantly deformed by contractional deformation

Regional plains material, 2—Material with very low radar backscatter (–17.84 dB 

mean), covering 2.66 x 106 km2 (~40 percent) of the map region; most extensive plains unit in the quadrangle. Characterized by a smooth, lightly mottled to 

featureless appearance. Areas of higher topographic relief can exhibit clear-cut 

contacts with other units, but in areas of low slopes the edge of the unit is 

characterized by indistinct/gradational contacts, with faint lobate margins 

occurring in some areas. Preserves both extensional and contractional deformation to varying degrees in different areas. Mean elevation is –110 m. Superimposed upon units t, bl, pl, pr1, pLh, and pLl, and embayed by units pr2, fe, ps, 

and ph. Cut by Baltis Vallis channel. Type locality: lat 40.5° N., long 199.0° E. 

Interpretation: Smooth, locally thin, possibly low viscosity volcanic plains 

subsequently deformed by both extensional and contractional deformation

Regional plains material, 1—Material with high radar backscatter (–13.62 dB 

mean), covering 0.86 x 106 km2 in the southern half of the quadrangle. Characterized by a highly mottled appearance, with individual patches sometimes 

displaying lobate margins. Preserves a higher than usual concentration, per 

unit area, of both extensional and contractional deformation, and in some 

locations numerous small shield volcanoes occur. Mean elevation is 180 m. 

Stratigraphic contact relationships suggest a prolonged history of spatially and 

temporally variable emplacement, but pr2 is generally superimposed on t, pl, 

and pG, synchronous with pLl, and embayed by pr2, fe, and ps. Type locality: 

lat 33.0° N., long 192.0° E. Interpretation: An early sequence of regionally 

expansive volcanic plains, subsequently deformed by both extensional and 

contractional deformation, that are preserved as elevated islands embayed by 

younger plains

EDIFICE AND CORONA UNITS

Volcanic edifice flow material—Intermediate to high radar backscatter (–14.69 dB 

mean) materials, covering 0.66 x 106 km2 across the quadrangle. Characterized by sheeted and digitate material with lobate boundaries and, in many 

instances, topographically controlled contacts. Contains many small- and 

intermediate-size volcanic edifices. Largely undeformed, with exceptions 

including regional contractional deformation in some areas and radiating 

extensional lineaments in others. Mean elevation of –30 m, indistinguishable 

from that of the quadrangle as a whole. While local exceptions exist, particularly at long-lived centers such as Dutrieu Patera, unit fe is generally superimposed on units pr1, pr2, pr3, t, bl, pl, and ps. Type locality: lat 28.0° N., long 

207.5° E. Interpretation: Young volcanic flows originating from a local volcanic center, often a major edifice

Corona flow material—Material with intermediate radar backscatter (–15.05 dB 

mean), covering 58.4 x 103 km2 at two locations in the western part of the 

quadrangle. Characterized by a lightly mottled texture at small scales, and 

tends to be more heavily deformed than adjacent plains materials, largely by 

extensional deformation. Mean elevation is –180 m. Embayed by units pr1, 

pr2, and pr3. Type locality: lat 48.0° N., long 205.0° E. Interpretation: Older 

volcanic material that appears to originate from a nearby corona, largely 

preserved as kipukas within younger plains materials

Corona rim material—Material with intermediate radar backscatter (–15.69 dB 

mean), covering 34.1 x 103 km2 in the northeastern part of the quadrangle. 

Characterized by lightly mottled texture at small scales. Deformed by both 

extensional and contractional deformation. Mean elevation of +80 m, but relief 

extends up to 1 km or more above adjacent areas. Embayed by units pr2, ps, 

and cof. Type locality: lat 49.0° N., long 205.5° E. Interpretation: Older volcanic plains, preserved only along the uplifted rim of the younger Cerridwen and 

Neyterkob Coronae. Based on deformation and physical characteristics, may 

be similar in age/origin to units pr1 and pl

IMPACT UNITS

Crater material, undifferentiated—Material with high radar backscatter (–13.24 

dB mean), covering 20.2 x 103 km2 at numerous locations across the quadrangle. Characterized by hummocky textures and irregular margins that 

together define the crater rim, interior walls and floor, and ejecta. Often associated with low radar backscatter materials that mantle the surrounding region. 

Mean elevation of –340 m. Largely superimposed upon units pr2 and pr3. Type 

locality: lat 48.3° N., long 195.3° E. Interpretation: Deposits and structures 

created by hypervelocity meteorite impact

Crater flow material—Material with very low radar backscatter (–20.52 dB mean; 

lowest of all material units in V–14), covering 9.86 x 103 km2 at one location 

within the quadrangle. Characterized by a sheet-like geometry and arcuate, 

sharply defined margins; surrounds unit c. Mean elevation of –130 m. May 

mantle unit pr2. Type locality: lat 48.3° N., long 195.3° E. Interpretation: Fine 

fraction flow deposits associated with the formation of crater Yablochkina

EXPLANATION OF MAP SYMBOLS

Contact—Dashed where uncertain

Airburst modification extent

Small shield volcano

Other small volcano

Flow direction

Canali

Graben

Lineament

Radial lineament

Trough

Ridge

Wrinkle ridge

Impact crater rim crest

Impact crater dark-halo deposits

Major topographic or structural annulus

TESSERA

Ridge

Lineament

Graben

Contractional

Extensional

MEAN

–23.35 – –23.33

–23.33 – –20.43

–20.43 – –18.54

–18.54 – –17.58

–17.58 – –17.10

–17.10 – –16.63

–16.63 – –16.34

–16.34 – –15.98

–15.98 – –15.81

–15.81 – –15.66

–15.65 – –15.44

–15.44 – –15.20

–15.20 – –14.94

–14.94 – –14.76

–14.76 – –14.54

–14.54 – –14.39

–14.39 – –14.17

–14.17 – –13.99

–13.99 – –13.76

–13.76 – –13.60

–13.60 – –13.44

–13.44 – –13.26

–13.26 – –12.97

–12.97 – –12.86

–12.86 – –12.66

–12.65 – –12.48

–12.48 – –12.30

–12.30 – –11.97

–11.97 – –11.57

–11.57 – –11.26

–11.26 – –10.58

–10.58 – –9.95

STD dB

1.77 – 1.87

1.87 – 2.03

2.03 – 2.08

2.08 – 2.16

2.16 – 2.23

2.23 – 2.31

2.31 – 2.34

2.34 – 2.38

2.38 – 2.45

2.45 – 2.50

2.50 – 2.54

2.54 – 2.58

2.58 – 2.60

2.60 – 2.63

2.63 – 2.66

2.66 – 2.69

2.69 – 2.72

2.72 – 2.74

2.74 – 2.77

2.77 – 2.81

2.81 – 2.85

2.85 – 2.93

2.93 – 2.98

2.98 – 3.06

3.06 – 3.12

3.12 – 3.22

3.22 – 3.30

3.30 – 3.40

3.40 – 3.56

3.56 – 3.75

3.75 – 4.13

4.13 – 4.79

210°

25°

180° 50°

210°

25°

180° 50°

A

A B

B C

D E F

G H I

J K L

Figure 2. Representative examples of all plains materials and map units derived from 

volcanic edifices or coronae. All figures are shown at the same scale (approximately 1° 

x 1°, and each figure box is ~110 km across), and all latitude and longitude values 

provided are for the center of given box. A, Unit pr3, depicting wrinkle ridges that have 

structurally controlled the emplacement of younger unit ps materials. Lat 43.0° N., long 

198.6° E. B, Unit pr1 embays an elevated area of unit pl. Both units are in turn embayed 

by unit pr2, which occupies lower elevations to the north and east. Lat 32.2° N., long 

182.5° E. C, Unit pr2, preserved at elevation and embayed by younger unit pr3 materials. 

Crater Unitkak provides an example of unit c, and part of a dark streak caused by the 

impact event is seen covering both unit pr2 and unit pr3 materials to the southwest. Lat 

40.8° N., long 198.8° E. D, Unit pG, preserved at higher elevations. Contacts between 

this unit and adjacent ones are most easily seen in the pseudo-stereo data; here the 

sinuous contact with unit pr2 is best seen owing to the transition from intermediate to 

darker radar backscatter. Lat 27.8° N., long 184.4° E. E, Unit pLh occurs at a single 

location, and it is characterized by hummocky topography and a high concentration of 

fractures. Lineament trends in the adjacent elevated tessera terrains do not cut across the 

boundary, suggesting that unit pLh postdates the tesserae. Lat 28.6° N., long 187.0° E. F, 

Unit pLl occurs at numerous locations, and its expression is variable. It closely resembles 

unit pl but is geographically associated with Lahevhev Tesserae. It lacks the hummocky 

texture of unit pLh, but local structural trends and deformation are similar. Unit pLl

embays the adjacent tesserae, and structural features cutting the tesserae do not continue 

into unit pLl, and these relations indicate that it is younger. Lat 27.3° N., long 189.7° E. 

G, Unit pl is characterized by intense local fracturing, generally in a single orientation. 

As shown here, it is embayed by unit pr1 and unit pr2; young north-south fractures cut 

unit pr1 but become increasingly faint within unit pr2, which indicates unit pr2 is 

younger and likely quite thin in this area. Note that radar-dark materials seen in the southeast corner of the frame are halo deposits from crater Yambika. Lat 33.4° N., long 208.6° 

E. H, Unit ps is characterized by overlapping small shield deposits, which here clearly 

embay the structures cutting older unit pr2 materials. Lat 46.3° N., long 196.4° E. I, Unit 

ph occurs at a single location. Unit ph is characterized by wispy margins, distinctive 

radar properties (for example, high RMS slope), and it appears to mantle or flow around 

all other units in the area; we interpret it as a potential pyroclastic deposit. Deformation 

cutting young unit ps materials quickly vanishes as it crosses the contact with unit ph, 

establishing unit ps as the older material, and both materials embay the adjacent tessera 

terrain. Lat 45.8° N., long 193.5° E. J, Unit fe, here derived from Xtoh Mons, is shown 

flowing downslope from the east onto unit pr2 materials that occupy the lowlands to the 

west. This unit is characterized by distinct lobate flow geometries. Lat 39.3° N., long 

193.1° E. K, Unit co occurs as plains materials that have been uplifted and preserved 

along the rim of Cerridwen and Neyterkob Coronae. They commonly preserve structures 

aligned parallel to the local trend of the annulus, and here the corona interior is shown 

flooded by younger unit ps materials. Lat 49.2° N., long 203.7° E. L, Unit cof appears to 

originate from a nearby corona, and it is commonly preserved only as kipukas within 

younger plains material. Here embayment by unit pr3 is clearly evident by the rapid 

truncation of structures as they pass across the contact from unit cof into unit pr3. Lat 

47.2° N., long 203.3° E.

Descriptions of nomenclature used on map are listed at 

http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/

Figure 1. Graphical depiction of latitudinally adjusted radar backscatter values for individual map units 

within V–14 (derived from table 1, in pamphlet). A, Mean values. Cooler colors indicate lower radar 

backscatter values, warmer colors indicate higher radar backscatter values. B, Standard deviations (1σ) of 

mean values. Cooler colors indicate lower standard deviation values (less variance in backscatter values), 

while warmer colors indicate higher standard deviation values.

bl

ph

ps

ps

ps

ps

ps

ps

ph

ps

pr3

pr3

pr2

pr2

pr2

pG

t

t

t

t

t

pLh

pr2

pr2

pr2

pr2

pr1

pr1

pr1

pr1

pl

pl

fe

co

cof

pl

pl

pr2

pr2

pr2

c

pr3

pr3

fe c

pr2

pr1 co

cof

t

pLh pLl

pLl

pLl

pG pl

cf

t

pr3

pr3

pr3

fe

t

pr2

pr2

pr2

ps

cf

c

c

t

ph

t

pr2

pr2

pl

pr2

pl

pr3

pr2

pr2

pr1

ps

pr1

pr1

ps

ps

ps

bl

pr2

bl

pr2

pr2

pr3

pr2

pr2

pr3

pr3

pr2

pr2

bl

pr2

pr2

pr2

ps

ps

pr3

pr2

fe

pr2

pr1

pr2

pr2

co

cof

c

ps

pr2

pr2

ps

pr2

pr2

pr1

pr1

pl

t

pl

pl

pl

pl

t

pr3

pr2

pr1

t

ps

bl

bl

fe

fe

fe

fe

fe

fe

fe

pr1

pr3

fe

fe

pr2

c

c

pr3

pr3

ps

c

pr1

pr1

pr3

c

pr2

pl

pl

pl

pl

pr1

pr1

pl

pr1

fe

cof

cof

ps

ps

fe

fe

pr1

fe

pl

ps

pr2

pl

fe

pl

pr2

pl

t

t

t

t

pr3

pr2

pr2

pr2

pr2

c

pr2

pr1

fe

fe

pl

pr2

pl

pl

pLl

pr2

pr1

pl

t

t

pr2

pr2

t

t

t

t

t

t

ps

pr1

t

ps

pr2

pr1

t

c

t

t

t

pr3

t

c

t

pLl

pLl

pLl

pr2

pG

pG

pr2

pr2

t

t

c

t

pLh

pLl

pr1

ps

pr2

pr1

ps

pLl

pLl

pLl

t

t

pr3

pr1

fe

pr2

pr2

c

pr2

t

t

t

t

pl

t

pl

pr3

bl

t

pG

pl

cof

co

c

cf

pr3

pr2

pr1

fe

ph

ps

pLh

pLl