Analysis of data collected by the Juno mission suggests that in the depths of Io, there is no global ocean of magma. This is stated in a paper published on December 12 in the journal Nature.
Io is a moon of Jupiter, slightly larger than our Moon. This world is known for being the most geologically active body in our Solar System. On its surface there are about 400 volcanoes that are continuously erupting. Their eruptions constantly reshape Io’s topography and create huge lava lakes, and the sulfur compounds ejected stain the surface in distinctive colors, causing the moon to be sometimes compared to a pizza.
The source of all this activity is Jupiter. Its gravity compresses Io, which generates a lot of internal heat that literally melts the interior of the moon.
However, until recently, one question remained unanswered: how exactly do Io’s volcanoes feed? Are we talking about a global ocean of magma or are we talking about localized sources? The Juno mission helped provide the answer.
Juno made two close flybys of Io in December 2023 and February 2024, passing within just 1,500 kilometers of its surface. These visits provided an opportunity to test how the moon’s gravity affects the acceleration of the vehicle, which in turn allowed us to conclude about its internal structure. After analyzing the data, the scientists conclude that there is no shallow global magma ocean on Io. Which means that each of its volcanoes apparently has its own magma chamber.
According to the researchers, this discovery is important not only because it forces a rethinking of what is known about Io’s interior. It also impacts our understanding of other moons, such as Enceladus and Europa, which are thought to have vast oceans of liquid water hidden beneath their surfaces.
Provided by NASA
