| Revision as of 16:45, 1 December 2005 editAlex.g (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users584 edits →Cassini Mission: added image from, and link to, cryovolcanism section at "Enceladus_(moon)"← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:17, 1 December 2005 edit undoAlex.g (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users584 edits more on quaoar and one more image from TitanNext edit → | ||
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| ==Theories== | ==Theories== | ||
| ], a dark feature on ]'s moon ], might be a cryovolcanic dome.]] | |||
| Usually energy required to melt ices and produce cryovolcanoes | |||
| comes from ]. It has also been suggested that translucent deposits of frozen materials could create a sub-surface ] that would accumulate the required heat. | comes from ]. It has also been suggested that translucent deposits of frozen materials could create a sub-surface ] that would accumulate the required heat. | ||
| It is ] that the ] object ] has exhibited cryovolcanism in the past. | It is ] that the ] object ] has exhibited cryovolcanism in the past. In this case, the source of energy would be ] (See also: ]). | ||
| ==Observations== | ==Observations== | ||
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| ===Cassini Mission=== | ===Cassini Mission=== | ||
| ] feeding ] ]. These appear to emanate from the "tiger stripes" near the south pole.]] | ] feeding ] ]. These appear to emanate from the "tiger stripes" near the south pole.]] | ||
| The ] mission has found a methane-spewing cryovolcano on ], and such volcanism is now believed to be a significant source of the methane found in Titan's atmosphere. | The ] mission has found a methane-spewing cryovolcano on ], and such volcanism is now believed to be a significant source of the methane found in Titan's atmosphere. | ||
| On ], ] Cassini photographed ]s on the south pole of ] (See also: ]) |
On ], ] Cassini photographed ]s on the south pole of ] (See also: ]). | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 17:17, 1 December 2005
A Cryovolcano is literally, an icy volcano. Cryovolcanoes form on icy moons, and possibly on other low temperature astronomical objects (e.g. Kuiper belt objects). Rather than molten rock, these volcanoes erupt volatiles such as water, ammonia or methane compounds. Collectively referred to as cryomagma, these substances are usually liquids and form flumes, but can also be in vapour form. After eruption cryomagma condenses to a solid form when exposed to the very low surrounding temperature.
Theories
Usually energy required to melt ices and produce cryovolcanoes comes from tidal friction. It has also been suggested that translucent deposits of frozen materials could create a sub-surface greenhouse effect that would accumulate the required heat.
It is hypothesised that the Kuiper belt object Quaoar has exhibited cryovolcanism in the past. In this case, the source of energy would be radioactive decay (See also: 50000 Quaoar).
Observations
Cryovolcanoes are found on icy moons. Ice volcanoes were first observed on Neptune's moon Triton during the Voyager 2 flyby in 1989. Indirect evidence of cryovolcanic activity was later observed on several other icy moons of our solar system, including Europa, Ganymede, and Enceladus.
Cassini Mission
The Cassini-Huygens mission has found a methane-spewing cryovolcano on Titan, and such volcanism is now believed to be a significant source of the methane found in Titan's atmosphere. On November 27, 2005 Cassini photographed geysers on the south pole of Enceladus (See also: Cryovolcanism on Enceladus).
See also
External links
- Triton - Triton at the Nine Planets
- South Pole of Triton - Triton at SolarViews.com
- Cryovolcanism - Article at the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Astronomy & Spaceflight
- Enceladus' South Polar Stripes Spew "Warm" Water - News article at the Planetary Society