Effects of Early Water-Rock Chemical Interactions on Interior Structures, Physical Properties, and Heat Balances of Galilean Satellites

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

1060 Planetary Geochemistry (5405, 5410, 5704, 5709, 6005, 6008), 3672 Planetary Mineralogy And Petrology (5410), 6030 Magnetic Fields And Magnetism, 6218 Jovian Satellites

Scientific paper

The layered internal structures of Io, Europa, and Ganymede, together with the presence of water in Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto imply that melting of accreted ice and large-scale water-rock type interaction accompanied differentiation of the satellites. Assuming that the original rocky material of the Galilean satellites was olivine rich (i.e., ultramafic), these interactions were analogous to processes which occur during aqueous alteration of terrestrial peridotites (serpentinization) and parent bodies of chondrites. Major chemical changes during this early aqueous alteration of Galilean satellites would have involved production of serpentine, magnetite, and hydrogen at the expense of olivine and water. Physical changes would have included rock volume increase owing to production of phyllosilicates, release and consumption of heat during chemical reactions, and changes in electromagnetic properties caused by formation of magnetite and/or secondary native metals in partially altered rocks. On Io, early water-limited serpentinization could have led to formation of magnetite followed by dehydration of hydrous phases driven by release of radioactive and tidal heat. Aqueous processes on Europa and Ganymede could have been less water-limited and likely led to profound alteration and oxidation of rocks. Magnetite formed through water-rock processes in the Ganymede's mantle may contribute to its permanent magnetic field. Callisto may have experienced an incomplete aqueous alteration allowing primarily and secondary native metals to survive oxidation. Volume change during serpentinization of satellites, and later release of water during deserpentization, can affect tectonic processes, including redistribution of ice and liquid water, disruptions of outer icy shells, and resurfacing. Release of chemical energy of serpentinization reactions would have contributed to the heat balances of the early Galilean satellites.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Effects of Early Water-Rock Chemical Interactions on Interior Structures, Physical Properties, and Heat Balances of Galilean Satellites 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 Effects of Early Water-Rock Chemical Interactions on Interior Structures, Physical Properties, and Heat Balances of Galilean Satellites, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Effects of Early Water-Rock Chemical Interactions on Interior Structures, Physical Properties, and Heat Balances of Galilean Satellites will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1892399

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.