For example, Maxwell Montes shows the sharp, snow line-like change in reflectivity that is consistent with a change in mineralogy, whereas Ovda Regio shows a more gradual brightening upwards trend.
Much of what is known about it stems from orbital radar observations, because the surface is permanently obscured in visible wavelengths by cloud cover.
In addition, a number of landers have returned data from the surface, including images. When 93% of the topography was mapped by Pioneer Venus, scientists found that the total distance from the lowest point to the highest point on the entire surface was about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi), about the same as the vertical distance between the Earth's ocean floor and the higher summits of the Himalayas, about 13 kilometres (8.1 mi).
This similarity is to be expected as the maximum attainable elevation contrasts on a planet are largely dictated by the strength of the planet's gravity and the mechanical strength of its lithosphere, these are similar for Earth and Venus.
Volcanism appears to be the dominant agent of geological change on Venus.
Some of the volcanic landforms appear to be unique to the planet.
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