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Discovery Two steep Venusian trenches reveal the great oceanic trenches on Earth, causing scientists to suspect that Venus, like Earth, remains geologically active. Wind "streaks" on the surface offer clues to the planet's global wind patterns. Magellan also revealed that lava flows cover much of the surface of the planet, indicating that Venus' volcanic activity probably is an ongoing phenomenon. Also, the surface is dotted with at least 100,000 "shield" volcanoes -- broad volcanic cones Giant calderas -- depressions usually found at the peaks of volcanoes -- are more expansive than those found on Earth. Magellan also uncovered unique circular "coronae," which may result from deep-seated interior processes that uplift and deform the surface. Surface features on Venus appear to be much more closely linked to interior processes than those of Earth. In addition, scientists have counted more than 900 impact craters from the images transmitted by Magellan. Scientists also use the spacecraft's radio communication link to try to gauge Venus's gravity field. Variations in the spacecraft's orbital speed are linked to the thickness of layers comprising the planet's interior, suggesting geological processes that may be occurring. It will take scientists years to fully interpret the barrage of data assembled over Magellan's voyage of discovery. Once they do, the remarkable store of information Magellan has already provided will be enhanced, as will our understanding of the Earth's evolution.
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