Other
Scientific paper
Dec 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agufm.p11a..12g&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2001, abstract #P11A-12
Other
5410 Composition, 5415 Erosion And Weathering, 5464 Remote Sensing, 5480 Volcanism (8450)
Scientific paper
Io's appearance is constantly changing due to the vigorous volcanic activity on the surface of the satellite. Dramatic eruptions of silicate lava and ash accompanied by sprays of sulfur dioxide frosts produce the most obvious and colorful surface changes. More subtle are the gradual changes that result from fading of existing deposits. Galileo has documented the disappearance of several once-prominent volcanic deposits such as those at Pillan, Surt and Aten, but the mechanisms and time scales for this gradual fading are unknown. They may be caused by burial, erosion or alteration of the older surface materials. Alteration may be very different near the poles of Io than at lower latitudes. The eruption of Tvashtar late last year provides an opportunity to study the evolution of a conspicuous plume deposit near Io's north pole. Tvashtar's enormous red ring rivals that of Pele and is presumed to be similar in composition. It was imaged both by Galileo (during orbit 29) and by Cassini as it flew through the Jupiter system, and is large enough to be resolved by Earth-based telescopes. Galileo recently re-imaged the Tvashtar region during orbit 31. These data were successfully recorded but have not yet been telemetered to Earth at this writing. The new images should enable us to determine how the color and albedo of these distinctive deposits have altered over an 8 month period. Several smaller changes can be seen in the Galileo images from orbit 29. Pele's red ring continues to be replenished and has nearly buried the dark deposits from Pillan. Nearby Reiden Patera, on the other hand, has darkened noticeably since orbit 24 and sprouted bright red pyroclastic deposits of its own. Another caldera that has darkened is located at 24S, 148W, to the east of Culann. This un-named volcano was formerly covered with greenish materials during orbit 14. Dark diffuse deposits have appeared along the eastern edge of Amirani since orbit 21. New white and red deposits were also noted near the perennially active plume Prometheus. Results of Galileo imaging from orbits 29 and 31 will be presented.
Geissler Philip
Keszthelyi Laszlo
McEwen Alfred
Phillips Chris
Spencer J. J.
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