New radar observations of the surface of Venus provide further evidence of a diverse and complex geologic evolution. The radar bright feature Beta (24 ¿N, 85 ¿W) is seen to be a 700 km diameter region elevated a maximum of approximately 10 km relative to its surroundings with a 60¿90 km wide depression at its summit. Beta is interpreted to be a large volcanic construct, analogous to terrestrial and martian shield volcanoes. Two large, quasi-circular areas of low reflectivity, examples of a class of features interpreted to be impact basins by previous investigators who were without the benefit of actual topographic information, are shown in altimetry maps to be depressions. Thus the term basin can be applied, although we urge a non-genetic usage until more complete understanding of their origin is achieved through analysis of future observations. ¿ 1977 American Geophysical Union