Io - Energy constraints and plume volcanism

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Icarus; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(80)90019-6· OSTI ID:6020522

Reynolds, R T ^[1]; Cassen, P ^[2]

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1. NASA, Ames Research Center, Theoretical and Planetary Studies Branch, Moffett Field, Calif.
2. Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics, Boulder, Colo.

Observational and theoretical considerations, including near-surface energy constraints, suggest a model of Io that features a surface layer of sulfur overlying an active silicate crust. Such a model would imply frequent contact between silicate magma intrusions and the sulfur layer. This contact could produce volcanic plumes driven by high-temperature sulfur vapor. Plumes driven by sulfur vapor meet observational constraints for a wide range of possible conditions, in contrast to the special conditions required for plume generation by SO2. Characteristics of the two models are compared, and it is suggested that high-spatial-resolution infrared radiometry could identify the driving volatile.

• OSTI ID: 6020522
• Journal Information: Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 44; ISSN ICRSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640107* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Planetary Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHALCOGENIDES
CONSTRAINTS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENTHALPY
JUPITER PLANET
MAGMA
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETS
PLUMES
SATELLITES
SILICATES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VOLCANOES