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
Email:Send Message
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 |