This Magellan full-resolution mosaic, centered at 55 degrees south, 354 east, shows the lava flows of Mylitta Fluctus in Lavinia Planitia (plains) on Venus. The entire flow complex spans over 800 kilometers (496 miles) from north to south and 380 kilometers (236 miles) from east to west. Individual flows range in width from less than 3 to 125 kilometers (about 2 to 78 miles). The flows originate from a 700 meter (2,300 feet) high volcano located on a possible rift zone outside the image to the south. The northern flank of the volcano is seen on the southern edge of the image and consists of a diffusely bright, fan-shaped area of relatively thin flows. The main flow field descends 1 kilometer (.62 miles) into the plains until it encounters more level ground, where individual flows pond and widen. A variety of flow features such as braided channels, levees, and roughness or texture changes within flows further our understanding of the conditions of the eruption and the nature of the lava itself. These flows are thought to have been very fluid and similar to lunar mare basalts and terrestrial flood basalts.
