Discriminant and factor analyses as tools for comparison of terrestrial and Venusian volcanic rocks

Аннотация

Statistical methods of multi-dimensional analysis (discriminant functions and factor analysis) were applied to compare the chemical analyses obtained by Venera-13, -14, and Vega-2 landers (contents of major oxides except for sodium) with petrochemical data compiled into the data base on terrestrial ocean. It is shown that the distribution of major petrogenic elements in the terrestrial rocks ascribed to different geodynamic settings (spreading zones, hot spots, and subduction zones) is determined by crystallization differentiation. This process is best manifested in hot spot volcanics (volcanic islands). In spite of the difficulties related to the poor precision of chemical determinations of Venusian rocks, obtained data indicate that the rocks from the Venera-13 and Vega-2 landing sites have no petrochemical analogues among terrestrial oceanic volcanic rocks. Rocks analyzed in the Venera-14 landing site may resemble the mid-ocean ridge volcanic rocks, although geological setting in the Venera-14 landing site ellipse strongly differs from terrestrial spreading zones.