Io: Evidence for silicate volcanism in 1986

Torrence V. Johnson, Glenn J. Veeder, Dennis L. Matson, Robert H. Brown, Robert M. Nelson, David Morrison

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infrared observations of Io during the 1986 apparition of Jupiter indicate that a large eruptive event occurred on the leading side of Io on 7 August 1986, Universal Time. Measurements made at 4.8, 8.7, and 20 micrometers suggest that the source of the event was about 15 kilometers in radius with a model temperature of ∼900 Kelvin. Together with previously reported events, these measurements indicate that high-temperature volcanic activity on the leading side of Io may be more frequent than previously thought. The inferred temperature is significantly above the boiling point of sulfur in a vacuum (715 Kelvin) and thus constitutes strong evidence for active silicate volcanism on the surface of Io.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1280-1283
Number of pages4
JournalScience
Volume242
Issue number4883
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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