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Explosive volcanism on Venus is severely inhibited by its high atmospheric pressure and lack of water. This paper shows that a deposit located near 16°S, 144°E, here referred to as Scathach Fluctus, displays a number of morphological characteristics consistent with a pyroclastic flow deposit. These characteristics, particularly its lack of channelisation and evidence for momentum rather than cooling limited flow length, contrast with fissure-fed lava flow deposits. The total erupted volume is estimated to have been between 225 km3 and 875 km3 but this may have been emplaced in more than one event. Interaction between Scathach Fluctus and a small volcanic cone constrain the flow velocity to 48 m s−1 and plausible volatile concentrations to at least 1·8 wt% H2O, 4·3 wt% CO2 or 6·1 wt% SO2, the latter two implying magma sourced directly from the mantle. The deposit has radar characteristics, particularly an exponential backscatter function, that are similar to those of nearly half the planetary surface, implying that pyroclastic deposits may be much more common on Venus than has been recognised to date, and suggesting both a relatively volatile-rich mantle and a volcanic source for atmospheric SO2.

Ascraeus Mons is one of the largest volcanoes on Mars. It is replete with well-preserved features that can be used to understand its volcanotectonic evolution. Previous studies of this volcano focused on specific features, and were limited by the quality and coverage of contemporary data. Our objective is to review and enhance the existing developmental model for Ascraeus by considering all endogenic surface features on the volcano. We surveyed the volcano's caldera complex, flank terraces, pit structures, sinuous rilles, arcuate grabens, and small vents. We report the spatial and temporal distributions of these features, appraise their proposed formation mechanisms in light of our mapping results, and propose a detailed geological history for Ascraeus Mons. An initial shield-building phase was followed by the formation of a summit caldera complex and small parasitic cones, while compression due to flexure of the supporting basement led to extensive terracing of the shield flanks. An eruptive hiatus followed, ending with the construction of expansive rift aprons to the northeast and southwest. Against later, extensive flank resurfacing in the late Amazonian, continued flexure formed arcuate grabens concentric to the edifice. Localized eruption and surface flow of a fluid agent (lava and/or water) from within the volcano then produced a population of rilles on the lower flanks. Finally, in a change of flank tectonic regime from compression to extension, pit crater chains and troughs developed on the main shield and rift aprons, eventually coalescing to form large embayments at the northeast and southwest base of the volcano.