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Volcanic eruptions on Io: Heat flow, resurfacing, and lava compositionWe model an infrared outburst on Io as being due to a large, erupting lava flow which increased its area at a rate of 1.5 x 10(exp 5)/sq m and cooled from 1225 to 555 K over the 2.583-hr period of observation. The inferred effusion rate of 3 x 10(exp 5) cu m/sec for this eruption is very high, but is not unprece- dented on the Earth and is similar to the high eruption rates suggested for early lunar volcanism. Eruptions occur approxi- mately 6% of the time on Io. These eruptions provide ample resurfacing to explain Io's lack of impact craters. We suggest that the large total radiometric heat flow, 10(exp 14) W, and the size and temperature distribution of the thermal anomalies (McEwen et al. 1992; Veeder et al. 1994) can be accounted for by a series of silicate lava flows in various stages of cooling. We propose that the whole suite of Io's currently observed thermal anomalies was produced by multiple, high-eruptive-rate silicate flows within the past century.
Document ID
19950059762
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Blaney, Diana L.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA United States)
Johnson, Torrence V.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA United States)
Matson, Dennis L.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA United States)
Veeder, Glenn J.
(California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: Icarus
Volume: 113
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0019-1035
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
95A91361
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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