Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust

Details Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006jsg....28.2222a&link_type=abstract

Journal of Structural Geology, Volume 28, Issue 12, p. 2222-2236.

Computer Science

2

Scientific paper

Lineaments referred to as ridges, troughs, bands, and faults on the icy surface of Jupiter's moon, Europa, have long been interpreted as extensional structures due to brittle fracturing of ice and intrusion of mobile materials from the interior of the satellite. Based on detailed mapping and possibly analogous structures present on Earth, we propose that the kinematics and failure mechanisms of these structures are variable and more complex than previously thought. A dense network of structures of multiple generations, forming the background on the surface of the planet, is here interpreted as localized zones of volumetric strain, likely compaction and/or dilation bands. The next class of linear failure structures is shear bands with significant offset of pre-existing markers. A few additional phases of less pervasive but more prominent volumetric deformation bands overprint the shear zones and background network. The mode of younger features can be characterized as sharp, dilational, brittle fracturing and subsequent shearing, thereby producing comminution and fragmentation in various sizes, leading to a series of younger faults with detectable lateral, as well as vertical, offset. This rich variability in the nature of the distribution, localization, kinematics, and formation mechanisms, if true, suggests that the conditions prevailing within the crust of Europa must have changed dramatically over time. The implication of this conclusion is that structures interpreted to be compaction/dilation bands and shear bands on Europa are composed of deformed materials similar to the surrounding ice, whereas only the younger faults, developed by brittle fracturing and fragmentation, may be conduits for mobile substrate to reach the surface and thus offer the highest potential for recovering evidence for life in the satellite.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Failure modes of the lineaments on Jupiter's moon, Europa: Implications for the evolution of its icy crust will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1548180