Lo’s Global Volcanic Activity Results from Focused Tidal Heating in its Upper Mantle

A group of volcanologists and planetary scientists, comprising members from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona, and Arizona State University, has discovered, through an examination of a recently compiled comprehensive assessment of Io’s volcanic behavior, that the primary source of its tidal heating is probably situated in its upper mantle.

Challenges in Revealing the Heat Source Behind Solar System’s Most Active Moon

In fact, their findings, published in the journal Nature Astronomy, are based on an analysis of data collected by sensors measuring heat emissions from Jupiter’s innermost moon, Io.

Previous studies have indicated that Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, stands out as the most volcanically active object in our solar system, adorned with calderas and flowing rivers of molten rock. Despite the desire to uncover the heat source driving this intense volcanic activity, scientists have faced challenges in obtaining conclusive evidence.

However, the leading hypothesis proposes that Jupiter’s gravitational forces, exerted as the moon undergoes varying distances from the planet, generate heat through friction in Io’s rocky material. However, the exact origin of this heat—whether deep within the moon or closer to its surface—has remained uncertain. The researchers in this recent study present evidence suggesting the latter.

Leveraging Juno’s Mission to Illuminate Io’s Subterranean Heat Sources

Historically, data on Io’s heat emission has been predominantly focused on its equatorial region, with limited information on its poles. In fact, recognizing the need for comprehensive data to understand the subterranean heat sources, the research team turned to the Juno spacecraft, which began orbiting Jupiter’s poles in 2016. This provided a valuable opportunity to study Io’s polar heat emissions.

However, combining new data from Juno with existing information, the researchers created a global heat map for Io. The analysis revealed 266 volcanic hotspots, showing that the moon emits 60% more heat along its lower latitudes than its higher latitudes.

To conclude, this disparity suggests that the heat fueling much of the volcanic activity resides just beneath the surface. So, the researchers propose that this could indicate a soft upper mantle or even a molten ocean beneath Io’s crust.

Read the original article on: PHYS ORG

Read more: Exactly How a Volcanic Bombardment in Old Australia Caused the Globe’s Best Climate Disaster