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Topographic evidence for shield volcanism on Io

Journal Article · · Icarus; (United States)
Similarities between terrestrial shield volcanoes and a volcano on Io observed in Voyager I imagery of the satellite at 30/sup 0/ S, 246/sup 0/ W are delineated. A photoclinometry model was used to numerically estimate the slope based on the Minnaert photometric function. The slope values are accurate to within 10 deg on the sun-facing slope and 1 deg on the shadow side. As found with shield volcanoes, the feature has a central edifice, 40-50 km in diameter, and a broad, elliptical base, 77 x 90 km across. The summit of the Io volcano is 2.2-2.8 km above the surrounding plane and contains a caldera about 5 km in diameter. The similarity in shape between basaltic terrestrial shield volcanoes and the Io volcano indicates that the Io feature may also be composed of basalt. The composition could be sulfur if the heat flow was under 0.05 W/sq m, as it might have been in later stages of formation. 9 references.
Research Organization:
Arizona State Univ., Tempe
OSTI ID:
6996247
Journal Information:
Icarus; (United States), Journal Name: Icarus; (United States) Vol. 67; ISSN ICRSA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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