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Episodic plate separation and fracture infill on the surface of Europa

Author

Listed:
  • Robert Sullivan

    (Box 871404 Arizona State University
    308 Space Sciences, Cornell University)

  • Ronald Greeley

    (Box 871404 Arizona State University)

  • Kim Homan

    (Box 871404 Arizona State University)

  • James Klemaszewski

    (Box 871404 Arizona State University)

  • Michael J. S. Belton

    (National Optical Astronomy Observatory)

  • Michael H. Carr

    (US Geological Survey)

  • Clark R. Chapman

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • Randy Tufts

    (Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona)

  • James W. Head

    (Brown University)

  • Robert Pappalardo

    (Brown University)

  • Jeffrey Moore

    (Ames Research Center)

  • Peter Thomas

    (Cornell University)

  • the Galileo Imaging Team

Abstract

Images obtained by the Voyager spacecraft revealed dark, wedge-shaped bands on Europa that were interpreted as evidence that surface plates, 50–100 km across, moved and rotated relative to each other1. This implied that they may be mechanically decoupled from the interior by a layer of warm ice or liquid water2,3. Here we report similar features seen in higher resolution images (420 metres per pixel) obtained by the Galileo spacecraft that reveal new details of wedge-band formation. In particular, the interior of one dark band shows bilateral symmetry of parallel lineaments and pit complexes which indicates that plate separation occurred in discrete episodes from a central axis. The images also show that this style of tectonic activity involved plates

Suggested Citation

  • Robert Sullivan & Ronald Greeley & Kim Homan & James Klemaszewski & Michael J. S. Belton & Michael H. Carr & Clark R. Chapman & Randy Tufts & James W. Head & Robert Pappalardo & Jeffrey Moore & Peter , 1998. "Episodic plate separation and fracture infill on the surface of Europa," Nature, Nature, vol. 391(6665), pages 371-373, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:391:y:1998:i:6665:d:10.1038_34874
    DOI: 10.1038/34874
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