The bluish hue of Venus is an effect of the colorization technique used toenhance subtle contrasts in cloud patterns and indicates that this image wastaken through a violet filter. Features in the sulfuric acid clouds near thetop of the planetŐs atmosphere are most prominent in violet and ultravioletlight. This image shows the east to west cloud banding and the brighter polarhoods . The features are embedded in winds that flow from east to west at about370 kph (230 mph).

Three large impact craters with diameters ranging from 37 km (23 mi) to 65 km (40 mi) are visible in the fractured plains. Features typical of meteorite impact craters are also visible. Rough radar-bright ejecta surrounds the perimeter of the craters; terraced inner walls and large central peaks can beseen. Crater floors appear dark because they are smooth and have been flooded by lava. Domes of probable volcanic origin can be seen in the southeastern corner. The domes range in diameter from 1-12 km (0.6-7 mi); some have centralpits typical of volcanic shields or cones.

Located along the left central edge of the image is a cluster of volcanic domesthat ranges from 1.5 km (1 mi) to 7.5 km in diameter (5 mi). The domes and their deposits are located at the convergence of radar-bright lineaments that are interpreted to be faults and troughs. In some places the domes overlie the faults. The faults and troughs extend into the lower part of the image where they terminate against dark plains deposits and are crosscut at right angles by additional faults. The relationship between these features indicates that multiple episodes of faulting and volcanism have occurred.

This false-color view of the volcano Sif Mons was generated from Magellan SAR data and existing altimetry data. The image shows a region of the volcano just below the summit of the peak. A series of bright and dark lava flows is visible in the foreground. The brightest flows, which are relatively rough, are associated with the most recent volcanism in the region. The flows overlay older lava flows which are smoother and hence appear darker to the Magellan radar system. The volcano is 2 km (1.2 mi) high and 200 km (120 mi) in diameter. Vertical exaggeration in this image is about 20 times.

Located in the Atla Regio region of Venus is Sapas Mons. The sides of the volcano are covered with numerous overlapping lava flows, many of which appear to have originated along the sides of the volcano rather than from its double summit. This type of eruption is common of large shield volcanoes on Earth, such as those found in Hawaii. Color was artificially added to this image and is based on the colors that the Soviet Venera 13 and 14 spacecraft observed in the 1970s.