NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Io: Generation of Silicate Magma by Shear Melting at the Base of a Basaltic LithosphereTidal theory and observational evidence indicates that about 1 w/sq. m. of energy is released at the surface of Io. In order to place limits on how much tidal energy can be dissipated within a rigid lithosphere, depth-temperature profiles were calculated for different lithosphere thickness assuming that the tidal energy was dissipated uniformly throughout the lithosphere. Thus a thick lithosphere implies that a significant fraction of the tidal energy is dissipated below the depth where solidus temperatures are reached. One possibility is that Io has a crust consisting of a low melting temperature fraction such as basalt, overlying a mantle of a high melting temperature fraction such as peridotite. Thus, if the lithosphere of Io is thicker than 30 km, as appears probable, then high rates of silicate volcanism are implied and a significant fraction of the tidal energy must be dissipated by viscous deformation rather than rigid flexure.
Document ID
19850015165
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other
Authors
Carr, M. H.
(Geological Survey Menlo Park, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Washington Repts. of Planetary Geol. and Geophys. Program, 1984
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
85N23476
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
Document Inquiry

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available