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Convection in a volatile nitrogen-ice-rich layer drives Pluto’s geological vigour

Author

Listed:
  • William B. McKinnon

    (Washington University in St Louis)

  • Francis Nimmo

    (University of California Santa Cruz)

  • Teresa Wong

    (Washington University in St Louis)

  • Paul M. Schenk

    (Lunar and Planetary Institute)

  • Oliver L. White

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center)

  • J. H. Roberts

    (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)

  • J. M. Moore

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center)

  • J. R. Spencer

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • A. D. Howard

    (University of Virginia)

  • O. M. Umurhan

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center)

  • S. A. Stern

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • H. A. Weaver

    (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory)

  • C. B. Olkin

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • L. A. Young

    (Southwest Research Institute)

  • K. E. Smith

    (National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Ames Research Center)

Abstract

The volatile-ice-filled basin informally named Sputnik Planum is central to Pluto’s geological activity; this ice layer is organized into cells or polygons, and it is now shown that convective overturn in a several-kilometre-thick layer of solid nitrogen can explain both the presence of the cells and their great width.

Suggested Citation

  • William B. McKinnon & Francis Nimmo & Teresa Wong & Paul M. Schenk & Oliver L. White & J. H. Roberts & J. M. Moore & J. R. Spencer & A. D. Howard & O. M. Umurhan & S. A. Stern & H. A. Weaver & C. B. O, 2016. "Convection in a volatile nitrogen-ice-rich layer drives Pluto’s geological vigour," Nature, Nature, vol. 534(7605), pages 82-85, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:534:y:2016:i:7605:d:10.1038_nature18289
    DOI: 10.1038/nature18289
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