Comment on “Estimates on the Frequency of Volcanic Eruptions on Venus” by Byrne and Krishnamoorthy (2022)
Iris van Zelst
Abstract
Abstract Byrne and Krishnamoorthy (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2021je007040 estimated the frequency of volcanic eruptions on Venus by scaling the eruption frequency obtained from a database containing Earth data. In reproducing their study, I found that the estimated number of new and ongoing volcanic eruptions on Venus in a given year is approximately 42, instead of the previously reported 120 eruptions. This updated estimate of Byrne and Krishnamoorthy (2022) based on the assumption that data from Earth can be scaled to Venus is an important step toward quantifying volcanism on Venus. However, it is important to note that in this estimate, the amount of volcanism associated with rifting is underestimated and subduction‐related volcanism is overestimated. The annual volcanic flux on Venus resultant from the estimated amount of volcanic eruptions aligns with previous estimates of Venus' volcanic flux based on, for example, chemical reaction times and geological mapping. Applying the same method of estimating volcanic eruption frequency to the other terrestrial planets in the Solar System indicates that the Earth scaling method is perhaps not universally applicable, especially concerning bodies with vastly different tectonic regimes.