We have used carefully controlled laboratory simulations to develop a
model which relates lava flow morphology to effusion rate and theology
. Through comparisons with measured and estimated eruption rates on Ea
rth, this approach allows us to constrain eruptive styles and composit
ions of extraterrestrial lava flows. By applying this model to lava fl
ows on the Moon, Mars and Venus, we have determined that all the commo
n flow morphologies (domes, folds and levees) on these planets could h
ave been produced by basalt-like or andesite-like lavas through either
continuous or episodic emplacement. The presence of more evolved magm
a compositions on other planets is not required to explain any of the
observed lava flow morphologies.