1995 年 48 巻 1 号 p. 119-129
Radiogenic noble gas data provide valuable information on planetary evolution through their degassing histories. The relative abundance of 40Ar in the Cytherean atmosphere is 0.26 of that in the Earth's atmosphere. Calculation of a 40Ar degassing model along with mantle evolution and melt migration shows that the average magma production rate on Venus is about 5km3/yr. Duration of plate motion on Venus, if existed, would be less than several hundred million years. For Mars, estimated volume of erupted volcanic materials is compatible with the present Martian 40Ar, which is about 1/20 of 40Ar in the Earth's atmosphere. On the other hand, early degassing fraction estimated from Martian radiogenic 129Xe is as much as 1/3 of that of the Earth. This early degassing may be due to the magma ocean cooling. Detection of Martian 4He will be evidence of current degassing activity on Mars. Abundant 4He in Venus atmosphere, showing much longer residence time than the Earth's 4He, should correspond to current absence of magnetic field.