“…This bright feature is consistent with studies based on orbiter imagery, which reveal a dense array of fresh-appearing lava flow channels extending from the caldera rim to well down the upper flanks of the shield (Mouginis-Mark, 1981, 1982bZimbelman and Greeley, 1983;Zimbelman, 1985a;Zimbelman and McAllister, 1985;Mouginis-Mark and Christensen, 2005;Hiesinger et al, 2007). Rheological studies of the Ascreaus summit flows suggest that the lavas are likely to have a basaltic/ andesitic composition and an a'a flow texture (Zimbelman, 1985b;Zimbelman and McAllister, 1985;Hiesinger et al, 2007). Such a rough texture would be consistent with a radar-bright feature, although the extreme brightness and high circular polarization ratios suggest that the flow texture is likely to be blockier than is typical of a'a lavas (see Section 7).…”