Question

many scientists dont believe that venus is currently volcanically active. they argue that the planets extreme atmospheric pressure makes such activity very unlikely. also, they believe that the channels in the planets surface, which are signs of lava flow from volcanic activity, were created by ancient eruptions as opposed to current eruptions. still, planetary geologist james head claims that venus may be experiencing ongoing volcanic activity.
what finding, if true, would most directly support heads claim?
choose 1 answer:
remote sensing data reveals that venuss atmospheric conditions, particularly its pressure and temperature, have changed very little over the last several decades.
high - resolution radar images from a recent nasa mission reveal new channels on venuss surface that were absent in previous surveys.
new radiometric dating data suggests that volcanic activity on venus may have occurred tens of thousands of years ago, as opposed to hundreds of millions of years ago as previously believed.
results from an infrared imaging device indicate increasing volcanic activity on io, one of jupiters moons, during the last six months.

Explanation:

• Option A: Unchanging atmospheric conditions don't directly relate to ongoing volcanic activity on Venus.
• Option B: New channels on Venus's surface that weren't there before suggest recent (ongoing) geological processes. Since channels can be formed by lava flow (a sign of volcanic activity), this supports Head's claim of ongoing volcanic activity.
• Option C: Radiometric dating data showing volcanic activity tens of thousands of years ago still implies it's in the past, not ongoing.
• Option D: Volcanic activity on Io (a moon of Jupiter) has no direct bearing on Venus's volcanic activity.

Answer:

B. High - resolution radar images from a recent NASA mission reveal new channels on Venus's surface that were absent in previous surveys.