4.57 billion-year volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io, driven by tidal heating from neighboring moons.
A new study using ALMA reveals that Jupiter's moon Io has been volcanically active for its entire 4.57 billion-year history, with sulfur and chlorine isotopes indicating the loss of lighter isotopes and suggesting continuous volcanic activity. This high level of volcanism is caused by tidal heating from friction within Io's interior as it is pulled between Jupiter and neighboring moons Europa and Ganymede, continuously remodeling its surface.
April 18, 2024
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