Abstract
AbstractExisting lineaments on the surface of the Jovian moon Europa are thought to be the result of ongoing brittle crack formation in the elastic regime. Arcuate features are called cycloids and can be modeled using linear elastic fracture mechanics. Here, we build on existing terrestrial models of rift propagation and extend them to cycloids on the moon. We propose that these cracks tend to grow as a series of nearly instantaneous events, spaced by periods of inactivity. The behavior is similar to what is observed on Antarctic ice shelves, where rifts can remain dormant for years. We argue that dormant periods between growth events could explain the presence of cycloids on Europa even without invoking secular motion of the crust. Furthermore, being able to model propagation events and their timing should help future missions exploring the moon.
Highlights
Observations coming from past planetary missions, in particular the Galileo spacecraft, revealed lineaments and fractures across Europa's surface
We build on existing terrestrial models of rift propagation and extend them to cycloids on the moon
We argue that dormant periods between growth events could explain the presence of cycloids on Europa even without invoking secular motion of the crust
Summary
Observations coming from past planetary missions, in particular the Galileo spacecraft, revealed lineaments and fractures across Europa's surface. One of the main requirements for the formation of these type of cracks is the existence of liquid water underneath the icy crust (Carr et al, 1998; Pappalardo et al, 1999). Radio doppler tracking and magnetic measurements performed by Galileo revealed a water ocean below the global shell (Anderson et al, 1998; Khurana et al, 1998; Kivelson et al, 2000). Tidal stress produced by gravitational interaction with Jupiter is the main force driving cold ice on Europa to fracture and form these crevasses (e.g., Greenberg et al, 1998; Hoppa et al, 1999a, 1999b)
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