Io, Jupiter's moon, continues to reveal itself. The latest images transmitted by the Juno spacecraft offer an unprecedented view of its tumultuous surface.
The Juno mission made a surprising discovery: a new volcanic complex on Io, one of the most active bodies in the Solar System. This phenomenon echoes the geological dynamics of planets, but on an unprecedented scale. In less than thirty years, a volcano has formed, whereas the previous observations date back to the Galileo mission.
Io mapped with JunoCam (PJ55, 57, 58 and 60), indicating changes or activities. The cyan ovals mark regions of new, diminished, or displaced deposits of plumes and/or volatiles. The yellow ovals indicate areas of probable new lava flows.
Images captured by JunoCam were compared to those from Galileo dating back to 1997, revealing the emergence of a volcano 110 miles (180 kilometers) wide. Situated just south of Io's equator, this new volcano surprised researchers. Juno's infrared camera also detected lava flows and volcanic deposits, indicative of intense activity.
Juno's observations reveal remarkable changes to Io's surface. In just a few years, the moon has undergone significant transformations. This unnamed volcano is accompanied by dark lava flows, while volcanic plumes have spread beyond the surface.
The formation of this volcano can be explained by Io's extraordinary tectonic activity. Jupiter's proximity creates tidal forces that deform the crust, leading to frequent eruptions. As a result, Io hosts around 400 volcanoes, over 150 of which are active, placing it at the heart of studies on planetary volcanism.
The exploration of Io also benefits from public involvement. Juno's raw data is accessible, allowing enthusiasts to reconstruct detailed images of the moon. This collaboration between scientists and amateurs enhances our understanding of the observed phenomena.
NASA's Galileo spacecraft captured this volcanic eruption on Io. Trapped in a perpetual struggle between the overwhelming gravity of Jupiter and the constant attractions of its neighboring moons, Io is continuously deformed. This distortion causes friction and intense heat within Io, triggering massive eruptions on its surface.
At the Europlanet Scientific Congress, researchers presented these results, highlighting Io's importance for geological studies. The new images not only demonstrate sustained volcanic activity but also Juno's ability to provide relevant data on this moon.
This mission opens up new perspectives on Io's volcanic activity and its interaction with Jupiter. The spacecraft's robustness allows for long-term studies, further enriching our understanding of geological processes beyond Earth.
What causes Io's volcanic activity?
The volcanic activity of Io, Jupiter's moon, is primarily due to tidal forces exerted by the gas giant. Tidal forces are generated by gravitational variations Io experiences during its orbit around Jupiter. This orbit is slightly elliptical, which means Jupiter's gravity continually stretches and compresses the moon.
These internal deformations produce heat from friction within Io's mantle. This phenomenon, known as tidal heating, heats the moon's interior to the point of triggering massive volcanic eruptions. Io is thus the most volcanically active body in the Solar System, with hundreds of active volcanoes.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND