Only Impacts of Greater Than 300 km dia Would Have Long Term Effects on Venus (or Analogues)

Effect of a single large impact on the coupled atmosphere-interior evolution of Venus

Authors:

Gillmann et al

Abstract:

We investigate the effect of a single large impact either during the Late Veneer or Late Heavy Bombardment on the evolution of the mantle and atmosphere of Venus. We use a coupled interior/exterior numerical code based on StagYY developed in Gillmann and Tackley (Gillmann, C., Tackley, P.J. [2014]. J. Geophys. Res. 119, 1189–1217). Single vertical impacts are simulated as instantaneous events affecting both the atmosphere and mantle of the planet by (i) eroding the atmosphere, causing atmospheric escape and (ii) depositing energy in the crust and mantle of the planet. The main impactor parameters include timing, size/mass, velocity and efficiency of energy deposition. We observe that impact erosion of the atmosphere is a minor effect compared to melting and degassing triggered by energy deposition in the mantle and crust. We are able to produce viable pathways that are consistent with present-day Venus, especially considering large Late Veneer Impacts. Small collisions (less than 100 km radius) have only local and transient effects. Medium-sized impactors (100–400 km) do not have much more consequence unless the energy deposition is enhanced, for example by a fast collision. In that case, they have comparable effects to the largest category of impacts (400–800 km): a strong thermal anomaly affecting both crust and mantle and triggering melting and a change in mantle dynamics patterns. Such an impact is a global event and can be responsible for volcanic events focused at the impact location and near the antipode. Depending on the timing of the impact, it can also have major consequences for the long-term evolution of the planet and its surface conditions by either (i) efficiently depleting the upper mantle of the planet, leading to the early loss of its water or (ii) imposing a volatile-rich and hot atmosphere for billions of years.