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Difficulty: MediumAligning Data and Predictions with Viewpoints

Venusian Resurfacing Debate

Venus's surface has a low density of impact craters that are randomly distributed, suggesting a young average surface age of 300 to 600 million years. Two models explain this observation.

Model 1
Venus underwent a single, rapid, planet-wide volcanic resurfacing event approximately 500 million years ago. The entire crust melted and was replaced by lava, erasing all previous craters. Since then, volcanic activity has been virtually nonexistent, and craters have accumulated slowly and uniformly.

Model 2
Venus's surface is constantly and gradually renewed by ongoing, localized volcanic activity. Eruptions occur randomly in small patches across the surface, slowly erasing older craters while leaving others intact. This continuous equilibrium process maintains a young average surface age over time.

Based on these models, evaluate whether the following statement is true or false:

If planetary probes discover that volcanic plains across Venus have lava flows with ages ranging continuously from 50 million to 800 million years old, this data supports Model 1.

Answer: Answer

Answer

The statement is false because the described data contradicts Model 1's claim of a single global volcanic event and instead supports Model 2's claim of gradual, ongoing volcanic activity.
The statement is false. Model 1 asserts that Venus experienced a single resurfacing event approximately 500 million years ago and has been volcanically inactive since. Thus, if Model 1 were correct, all lava flows would have a uniform age of roughly 500 million years. Finding lava flows ranging in age from 50 million to 800 million years old indicates continuous volcanic activity over time, which supports Model 2 and contradicts Model 1.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core claim of Model 1 regarding the timing of volcanic activity.
Model 1 proposes a single, rapid volcanic resurfacing event approximately 500 million years ago, with virtually no volcanic activity since then.
This establishes the expected age distribution of lava flows under Model 1, which should cluster tightly around 500 million years.
2
Analyze the hypothetical data provided in the statement.
The new data shows lava flows with ages ranging continuously from 50 million to 800 million years old.
This helps determine if the physical evidence matches the predictions of the models.
3
Compare the data to the predictions of Model 1 and Model 2.
A continuous range of ages contradicts Model 1's prediction of a single uniform age, but supports Model 2's prediction of localized, ongoing eruptions over time. Therefore, the statement that the data supports Model 1 is false.
This determines the final truth value of the statement.

Key Concept

Aligning data showing a wide range of geological ages with models of catastrophic vs. gradual resurfacing.
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Topics

Aligning Data and Predictions with Viewpoints

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