NASA's Juno spacecraft has uncovered intriguing details about the volcanic activity on Jupiter's moon Io, resolving a decades-long debate about its fiery eruptions.
Recent flybys by Juno have revealed that Io does not have a global subsurface ocean of magma, as previously hypothesized. Instead, its volcanoes are fueled by localized magma pockets.
Juno Mission Reveals Io's Volcanoes Are Powered by Isolated Magma Chambers
Io, the most volcanic body in the solar system, is home to an estimated 400 active volcanoes, Mirage News reported.
Its surface is covered in lava plains, and plumes of molten rock frequently erupt, making it a dynamic and captivating celestial object.
Scientists had long speculated about the source of Io's volcanic power, with earlier data suggesting the presence of a 31-mile-deep global magma ocean beneath its surface. However, Juno's recent findings have challenged this theory.
Using high-precision Doppler data collected during close flybys in December 2023 and February 2024, Juno analyzed how Io's gravity affected the spacecraft's movement.
The results indicated that Io is relatively rigid and does not deform significantly under Jupiter's immense gravitational pull, ruling out the possibility of a global magma ocean.
Instead, the data supports the idea that the lava erupting from Io's volcanoes comes from isolated chambers of molten rock within its mantle.
Io's Volcanism Raises Big Questions About Magma Oceans in the Solar System
The energy powering Io's volcanic activity is generated by tidal heating. As Io orbits Jupiter on an elliptical path, it is repeatedly squeezed and stretched by the planet's gravitational forces, creating immense friction within the moon's interior.
Additional gravitational interactions with neighboring moons Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto amplify this effect, producing enough heat to melt portions of Io's mantle.
According to Space, this new understanding of Io's volcanism has broader implications. It suggests that tidal heating alone may not be sufficient to sustain global magma oceans, raising questions about similar phenomena on other moons like Europa and Enceladus, and even on exoplanets orbiting close to their stars.
The findings challenge existing theories about planetary formation and evolution.
Juno's ongoing mission, which began in 2016, continues to provide valuable insights into Jupiter and its moons.
With more flybys of Io and Jupiter planned, scientists anticipate uncovering even more about the intricate dynamics of the Jovian system. For now, the mysteries of Io's volcanic activity offer a vivid glimpse into the forces shaping our solar system.
