Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010agufm.p33a1560w&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2010, abstract #P33A-1560
Physics
[6020] Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies / Ices, [6045] Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies / Physics And Chemistry Of Materials, [6055] Planetary Sciences: Comets And Small Bodies / Surfaces, [6207] Planetary Sciences: Solar System Objects / Comparative Planetology
Scientific paper
Some of the most mysterious and little-understood objects in the solar system are the variety of satellites of the outer planets. A comparison of geological and chemical features between Earth and Enceladus is presented. The North Fiji Basin in the southern Pacific Ocean is an evolved back-arc basin and example of the complex plate tectonics that occur on the Earth, and a possible relic of Archean seafloor dynamics. The basin, which used to be called the ‘North Fiji Plateau’ due to its relatively shallow depth, overlies a high-temperature anomaly in the upper mantle, and features parallel spreading ridges as part of a back-arc basin system of tectonic activity. The south pole region of Enceladus, itself a shallow basin, features notable parallel fissures and is also situated atop a heat anomaly. Since the Cassini spacecraft began its tour of the Saturnian system and discovered Enceladus’ active south pole, many observations have been conducted and the many scenarios that could be causing such activity have been reported on heavily. And as these previous (and ongoing) studies have covered possible sources for the activity quite thoroughly, it is not the goal here to summarize those, but rather to present a study in comparative geology. Additionally, it has been suggested by Hodyss et al. (2009) that, dependent upon the processes at work that are producing the water plumes, a deposit map can be produced to predict what the surface chemical distribution should look like, specifically for methanol in this case. Here presented is an analysis of the water plume using Cassini UVIS data in a calculation of constituent mixing ratios and a first attempt at a chemical surface distribution map from such a plume (or series of plume jets). In keeping with a comparative planetology approach, it is relevant to present work concerning seemingly analogous seafloor fissures and the related distribution of material around these features here on the Earth. We will present our investigation of such seemingly bizarre activity using possible analogs elsewhere in the solar system and on Earth itself.
Liemohn Michael W.
Parkinson Christopher D.
Walker Christoph
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