High-temperature hot spots on Io as seen by the Galileo solid state imaging (SSI) experiment
High-temperature hot spots on Io have been imaged at ∼50 km spatial resolution by Galileo's CCD imaging system (SSI). Images were acquired during eclipses (Io in Jupiter's shadow) via the SSI clear filter (∼0.4–1.0 µm), detecting emissions from both small intense hot spots and diffuse extended glows associated with Io‧s atmosphere and plumes. A total of 13 hot spots have been detected over ∼70% of Io–s surface. Each hot spot falls precisely on a low-albedo feature corresponding to a caldera floor and/or lava flow. The hot-spot temperatures must exceed ∼700 K for detection by SSI. Observations at wavelengths longer than those available to SSI require that most of these hot spots actually have significantly higher temperatures (∼1000 K or higher) and cover small areas. The high-temperature hot spots probably mark the locations of active silicate volcanism, supporting suggestions that the eruption and near-surface movement of silicate magma drives the heat flow and volcanic activity of Io.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1997 |
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Title | High-temperature hot spots on Io as seen by the Galileo solid state imaging (SSI) experiment |
DOI | 10.1029/97GL01956 |
Authors | A. S. McEwen, D.P. Simonelli, D.R. Senske, K.P. Klaasen, L. Keszthelyi, T. V. Johnson, P.E. Geissler, M. H. Carr, M. J. S. Belton |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Geophysical Research Letters |
Index ID | 70019220 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |