Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2002
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002agufm.p72b0509s&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2002, abstract #P72B-0509
Mathematics
Logic
5430 Interiors (8147), 6218 Jovian Satellites
Scientific paper
Europa's surface displays a diversity of geologic terrains. The two dominant terrain types are the ridged plains, which consist of successive generations of overprinted ridge pairs, and the chaos terrains, which are comprised of hummocky material and disrupted crustal blocks. In addition, numerous small (<20 km) landforms were imaged by Galileo, including pits, domes, platforms, irregular uplifts, irregular lobate features, and smooth, flat regions embaying topographic lows. Uplifts and pits have been suggested to result, at least in part, from deformation of the lithosphere by solid-state convection in the ice crust. To test this idea, we will present preliminary two-dimensional numerical simulations of solid-state convection in Europa's ice shell performed using the Conman finite element code with temperature-dependent viscosity and viscosity contrasts relevant for the stagnant-lid regime. The goals are to determine (i) the parameter regimes under which convection can occur, (ii) whether the convection can produce topographic features tens to hundreds of meters in vertical relief, and the horizontal scale and time-dependence of these features, and (iii) whether the convection is likely to fracture the lithospheric ice. Internal tidal heating, and a flux of heat from below, are included. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of pits and uplifts sometimes appears to be tectonically controlled (e.g., pits often lie between lineaments but avoid the lineaments themselves), and so we will include faults in some simulations to determine their effect on the surface manifestation of the convection.
Han Liang
Showman Adam P.
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