2023-05-09 18:43:15
A study by Western astronomers and geologists has shown that earthquakes can fill the surfaces of the moons orbiting the gas giants Jupiter and Saturn. RT.
Steep hills surrounded by relatively flat areas are a common phenomenon for the terrain of Jupiter’s moons Europa and Ganymede, as well as Saturn’s moon Enceladus. Although the researchers hypothesized that heavy outflows from icy volcanoes lead to this, it is still not understood how this process occurs under low-temperature conditions on these cold celestial bodies..
The new explanation put forward by scientists does not require the presence of liquid on the surface of icy moons. Scientists have long known that some of the moons orbiting Jupiter and Saturn are geologically active. Gravity causes moonquakes, which loosen the crust and icy surfaces of the moons.
Moonquakes can also cause landslides that help create flat surfaces. Some moonquakes were powerful enough to lift debris that rolled down slopes, flattening the terrain..
The study authors said: “We found that surface vibrations from tremors would be sufficient to cause landslides on the surface. This will help us understand how landslides can shape the surface of the moon over time.”“.
It was particularly surprising to find the strength of volcanic activity and moonquakes on Enceladus, because the satellite’s surface area is less than 3% of Europa’s, which is regarding 1/650th of Earth’s surface area. But because of the low gravity, earthquakes on Enceladus can be strong enough to throw ice debris on the surface directly into space.
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