Final answer:
The article explores Venus's surface through past and future space missions, focusing on its igneous rock composition, geological features, and the similarities and differences in volcanic and tectonic activities compared with Earth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The central idea of the article 'Investigating Landforms on Venus' is the geologic exploration and characterization of Venus's surface. The article discusses the Venusian geology revealed through various missions, including the Soviet Venera landings and radar mapping from spacecraft such as Magellan.
It highlights the igneous nature of Venusian rocks, primarily basalts, the existence of flat, layered lava flows, and the absence of water erosion which leaves the surface's geological history exposed.
Additional details cover NASA's future plans for high-resolution radar mapping in the Aphrodite region to investigate complex geological structures, possibly similar to Earth's tectonic plates. The article also mentions Venus's thick atmosphere, intense surface pressure and temperature, and speculation about its volcanic and tectonic activities compared to Earth.