Experiments on the reactivity of basaltic minerals and glasses in Venus surface conditions using the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig

Abstract Climate models for Venus rely heavily on theoretical modeling and laboratory experimentation due to the extreme surface conditions of planet limited in situ data. To better explore relative importance reactions between atmosphere Venus, we exposed representative volcanic glasses basaltic minerals a large‐scale simulation with realistic atmospheric composition. This study consistend two experiments 42 80 days that replicated both physical composition derived from available near‐surface data using Glenn Extreme Environment Rig (GEER) at NASA Research Center. These revealed significant reactivity common Ca‐bearing pyroxenes (diopside augite) form anhydrite. Olivine labradorite showed minimal reactivity. Volcanic glasses, including natural synthetic samples, were exceptionally reactive, rapidly forming anhydrite thénardite (Na 2 SO 4 ), as well transition metal sulfates (i.e., Cu, Cr), halite (NaCl), sylvite (KCl). Our results document chemical textural alteration sample surfaces provide sufficient evidence an active sulfur sink multiple dominant secondary mineralogy. suggest likely mineralogies solid phases present Venus' implications upcoming missions new comparison high‐temperature mineral–gas prevalent Earth, Io.