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Tidal reorientation and the fracturing of Jupiter's moon EuropaThe lineaments on Europa are discussed in terms of the orientation of the lineaments relative to the tensile stress trajectories due to tidal distortions and to nonsynchronous rotation. The cracks are noticeable by their darker albedo compared to the presumed water ice surrounding them. The stress trajectories for tidal distortion of a thin elastic shell are superimposed on Mercator projection maps of the lineaments. It is shown that the lineaments are mainly oriented at high angles to the tensile stress trajectories that would be expected for regularly occurring nonsynchronous rotation, i.e., extensional fractures would appear. The reorientation motions which would cause the fractures are estimated. It is suggested that the fractures occur episodically to release stresses built up on the tensile surface of the crust during the continuous nonsynchronous rotation of Europa.
Document ID
19860053972
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Mcewen, A. S.
(Arizona State University Tempe; USGS, Flagstaff, AZ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1986
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 321
ISSN: 0028-0836
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
86A38710
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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