Progressive build up of CO2 in the atmosphere of Venus through multiple volcanic resurfacing events

Abstract

In absence of other mechanisms, the main input of CO2 into the Venusian atmosphere is via volcanic out gassing. Since Venus can be regarded as a planet-wide large igneous province, we can expect large quantities of CO2 being transferred into its atmosphere via volcanic out gassing. We have quantified the maximum possible amount of CO2 that can be out gassed via a single massive episode of resurfacing of the planet. This figure (5.6 × 1019 kg of CO2) is about 8 times smaller than the total CO2 present in the Venusian atmosphere (4.55 × 1020 kg CO2). The lack of planet-wide, efficient mechanisms for the recycling of CO2 on Venus indicates that CO2 has progressively accumulated in the atmosphere. Based on these considerations we suggest that the “equivalent” to eight global resurfacing episodes would be required to account for the present values of CO2 atmosphere.