Effect of tidal-heating on the rheology of Io

Conference Paper (2024)
Author(s)

Allard K. Veenstra (TU Delft - Planetary Exploration)

Teresa Steinke (TU Delft - Astrodynamics & Space Missions)

M. Rovira-Navarro (TU Delft - Planetary Exploration)

Wouter van der Wal (TU Delft - Planetary Exploration)

Research Group
Planetary Exploration
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.5194/epsc2024-1131
More Info
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Publication Year
2024
Language
English
Research Group
Planetary Exploration
Volume number
17
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Abstract

Io exhibits widespread volcanism powered by tides raised by Jupiter. The distribution of volcanoes offers a window into the interior of the moon. The distribution shows more volcanism at the equator as well as peak volcanic output which is shifted by roughly 30-60 degrees to the east of the subjovian point [1]. Models of tidal dissipation that assume a spherically symmetric, solid Io cannot reproduce this shift [2]. More recently, it has been proposed that tidal dissipation in a magma ocean [3] or in a non-spherically symmetric, solid Io [4] can induce this lag. In this study, we explore the second option and show that solid-body dissipation can induce an eastward shift of the tidal dissipation pattern.