QUANTIFICATION OF EXTRATERRESTRIAL LAVA FLOW EFFUSION RATES THROUGH LABORATORY SIMULATIONS

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.