{"title":"Shallow Subsurface Water at the Base of Europa's Double Ridges","authors":"G. Steinbrügge, G. Patterson","doi":"10.1029/2024JE008673","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Recent numerical modeling and the detection of an Earth analog advanced our understanding of the formation mechanisms behind Europa's distinctive double ridges. Notably, a recent contribution by Cashion et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023je008007), demonstrated that ice wedging as a primary formation mechanism can accurately reproduce the topographic characteristics of double ridges. Building on previous theoretical foundations laid by Melosh and Turtle (2004, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004LPI….35.2029M/abstract), it hints at a complex hydrological system within the ice shell, characterized by local reservoirs and cycles of freezing that could also explain other observed geological formations, such as lenticulae and chaos terrain. This dynamic suggests the possibility of material exchange processes within the ice shell of Europa and enhances our understanding of the moon's habitability.</p>","PeriodicalId":16101,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets","volume":"130 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1029/2024JE008673","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets","FirstCategoryId":"89","ListUrlMain":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2024JE008673","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"GEOCHEMISTRY & GEOPHYSICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Recent numerical modeling and the detection of an Earth analog advanced our understanding of the formation mechanisms behind Europa's distinctive double ridges. Notably, a recent contribution by Cashion et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.1029/2023je008007), demonstrated that ice wedging as a primary formation mechanism can accurately reproduce the topographic characteristics of double ridges. Building on previous theoretical foundations laid by Melosh and Turtle (2004, https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2004LPI….35.2029M/abstract), it hints at a complex hydrological system within the ice shell, characterized by local reservoirs and cycles of freezing that could also explain other observed geological formations, such as lenticulae and chaos terrain. This dynamic suggests the possibility of material exchange processes within the ice shell of Europa and enhances our understanding of the moon's habitability.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Geophysical Research Planets is dedicated to the publication of new and original research in the broad field of planetary science. Manuscripts concerning planetary geology, geophysics, geochemistry, atmospheres, and dynamics are appropriate for the journal when they increase knowledge about the processes that affect Solar System objects. Manuscripts concerning other planetary systems, exoplanets or Earth are welcome when presented in a comparative planetology perspective. Studies in the field of astrobiology will be considered when they have immediate consequences for the interpretation of planetary data. JGR: Planets does not publish manuscripts that deal with future missions and instrumentation, nor those that are primarily of an engineering interest. Instrument, calibration or data processing papers may be appropriate for the journal, but only when accompanied by scientific analysis and interpretation that increases understanding of the studied object. A manuscript that describes a new method or technique would be acceptable for JGR: Planets if it contained new and relevant scientific results obtained using the method. Review articles are generally not appropriate for JGR: Planets, but they may be considered if they form an integral part of a special issue.