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[[Image:SouthPoleOfTriton.gif|right|thumb|Image of the south pole of
'''Cryovolcanoes''' are pseudo-volcanoes believed to be present on ], the largest moon of ]. Unlike ]es on ] which spew hot ], cryovolcanoes bring super-cool "lava" to the surface of their planets. They are volcanic-like vents that spew forth ice, water or vapor-phase volatiles, with some gas driven solid fragments instead of lava. They have only been observed on ], the biggest of ]'s moons. Also it is said that they might be active in ] and ].
] taken by ] in ]. The dark
spots are signs of cryovolcanic plumes.]]
A '''Cryovolcano''' is literally, an icy ]. Cryovolcanoes form on ]s,
and possibly on other low temperature astronomical objects (e.g. ] objects).
Rather than
], these volcanoes erupt volatiles
such as ], ] or ].
Collectively referred to as ''cryomagma'', these substances are usually
] and form ], but can also
be in ] form. After eruption cryomagma condenses to a solid
form when exposed to the very low surrounding temperature.


==Theories==
This term was coined by ] in late 2004, when the ] space probe observed cryovolcanoes and cryogenic lakes for the first time.
Generally it is accepted that the 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.

It is ] that the ] object ] has exhibited cryovolcanism in the past.

==Observations==
Cryovolcanoes are found on ]s. Ice volcanoes were first observed on ]'s moon ] during
the ] flyby in ]. Indirect evidence of cryovolcanic activity
was later observed on several other ]s of
our ], including ], ], and ].

===Cassini Mission===
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 ]. This was only the second instance of cryovolcanism ever photographed, after ].

==See also==
*]
*]


==External links== ==External links==
* - Triton at the Nine Planets
*
* - Triton at SolarViews.com
* * - Article at the Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Astronomy & Spaceflight
* - News article at the

]
]

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]
]
]
]
]

Revision as of 16:11, 1 December 2005

File:SouthPoleOfTriton.gif
Image of the south pole of Triton taken by Voyager 2 in 1989. The dark spots are signs of cryovolcanic plumes.

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

Generally it is accepted that the 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.

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. This was only the second instance of cryovolcanism ever photographed, after Triton.

See also

External links

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