Non-Newtonian Convection and Compositional Buoyancy: Advances in Modeling Convection and Dome Formation on EuropaNumerical modeling of non-Newtonian convection in ice shows that convection controlled by grain boundary sliding rheology may occur in Europa. This modeling confirms that thermal convection alone cannot produce significant dome elevations. Domes may instead be produced by diapirs initiated by thermal convection that in turn induces compositional segregation. Exclusion of impurities from warm upwellings would allow sufficient buoyancy for icy plumes to account for the observed approximately 100 m topography of domes, provided the ice shell has a small effective elastic thickness (approximately 0.2 to 0.5 km) and contains low eutectic-point impurities at the few percent level.
Document ID
20040055881
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pappalardo, R. T. (Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Barr, A. C. (Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 21, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2004
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Icy Worlds: Moving and Grooving