MainScienceAstronomySolar System › Lithospheric Dilation on Europa

Lithospheric Dilation on Europa

Edit Page
Report
Scan day: 04 March 2014 UTC
-493
Virus safety - good
Description: Article written for submission to Icarus. (November 20, 1998)
Lithospheric dilation on Europa B. Randall Tufts*, Richard Greenberg*, Gregory Hoppa*, Paul Geissler* *Lunar and Planetary Laboratory : Europa, tectonics, satellites of Jupiter, satellite, surfaces. Lithospheric dilation on Europa has occurred at Class 2 ridges (Greenberg taxonomy) and at bands, on a global scale over a large part of the geological age of the surface. Class 2 ridges are elevated, a few km across, and bilaterally symmetrical about a pronounced central groove. Bands are lower than Class 2 ridges, and may be wider than a few km, with neither a prominent central groove nor strong bilateral symmetry. Some lineaments combine characteristics of both Class 2 ridges and bands. The character of Class 2 ridges, bands, and the intermediate forms suggests that they all are dilational gaps in the Europan lithosphere and reflect a continuum of formation process between end members, namely: (1) outward pushing by material lodged in cracks (Class 2 ridges), and (2) pulling-apart of lithospheric plates by any of various possible forces (bands). Variation in morphology among dilational lineaments depends upon the degree to which pulling-apart counteracts tidal compression. On a global scale, dilation may be accommodated by melting-through of lithosphere at various times and places, creating chaotic terrain. Dilational lineaments represent an important agent of resurfacing on Europa.
Size: 1403 chars

Contact Information

Phone&Fax:
Address:
Extended:

WEBSITE Info

Page title:Dilation
Keywords:
Description:
IP-address:128.196.250.34

WHOIS Info

NS
Name Servers: MAGGIE.TELCOM.ARIZONA.EDU 128.196.128.233 PENNY.UITS.ARIZONA.EDU 128.196.130.9
WHOIS
Date
activated: 23-Jan-1986
last updated: 08-Aug-2012
expires: 31-Jul-2014