Compared to a conventional volcano that spews molten rock, cryovolcanoes erupt low boiling point elements and compounds such as water, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Cryovolcanoes have been observed directly on Neptune's moon Triton, during a Voyager II fly-by in 1989, and on Saturn's moon Enceladus, by the Cassini probe on 27 November 2005. … But only a few places besides Earth—like some of the moons of Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune—have active ones today. These features are too small and distant to be seen by Earth-based telescopes or observatories. In 2007, observations by the Gemini Observatory showing patches of ammonia hydrates and water crystals on the surface of Pluto's moon Charon suggested the presence of active cryovolcanoes/cryo-geysers. Such volcanism is now believed to be a significant source of the methane found in Titan's atmosphere.
Cryovolcanism evidences have been found in several moons and other solar system bodies. It is also suspected that some moons may have translucent layers of ice that permit light in to heat material beneath it, but have an insulating property that seals in heat and creates a Evidence of a cryovolcano was first uncovered on the south pole of Neptune's moon Triton, in the form of light streaks of nitrogen on the surface covering a dark, older crust.
SAN FRANCISCO -- For the first time, scientists now have solid evidence for an ice volcano on Saturn's moon Titan, according to a new study. Radioactive decay could also provide the energy necessary for such activity. NASA has identifiedevidence of ice volcanoes present on the surface of the dwarf planetPluto. Clear answers for common questions Indirect evidence of cryovolcanism has been found on several other moons and bodies, including Europa , Titan, Ganymede, Miranda, and the trans-Neptunian object Quaoar. Instead of erupting molten rock, as in a conventional volcano, cryovolcanoes erupt volatiles (low boiling point elements or compounds), like water, ammonia, The source of energy of a cryovolcano usually comes from tidal friction, heat that builds up in the core of moons as they bend and distort in the gravity field of the massive gas giants they orbit. Cassini has observed several features thought to be cryovolcanoes on Titan. It has also been suggested that translucent deposits of frozen materials could create a sub-surface greenhouse effect that would accumulate the required heat. Ice Volcano Found on Saturn Moon Titan Space.com - April 1, 2011 For the first time, scientists now have solid evidence for an ice volcano on Saturn's moon Titan, according to a new study.
There are volcanoes all around our solar system. This was the first time an erupting volcano had been found anywhere besides Earth.
A cryovolcano (sometimes informally called an ice volcano) is a type of volcano that erupts volatiles such as water, ammonia or methane, instead of molten rock. Such a mixture would melt at -95¡C, creating an extremely cold liquid that would flow out of the volcano.
Cryovolcanoes are pretty much the same as “conventional” volcanoes here on Earth. Io cannot keep one side exactly facing Jupiter and with the varying strengths of the tides because of its elliptical orbit, Io is stretched and twisted over short time periods. Collectively referred to as cryomagma, cryolava or ice-volcanic melt, these substances are usually liquids and can form plumes, but can also be in vapour form. On November 27, 2005 Cassini photographed geysers on the south pole of Enceladus (See also: Cryovolcanism on Enceladus). However, this does require direct examination by space probes doing fly-bys. Io, Europa, and Ganymede have a 4:2:1 orbital resonance that keeps their orbits elliptical. Earth is; we have erupting volcanoes and sliding continents. Some hypothesize that the Kuiper belt object Quaoar exhibited cryovolcanism in the past.
The first evidence of a cryovolcano is found in the south pole of Triton, Neptune’s moon. Not only did Io have volcanoes—they were active!
Collectively referred to as cryomagma or ice-volcanic melt, these substances are usually liquids and form plumes, but can also be in vapour form. For every four orbits of Io, Europa orbits twice and Ganymede orbits once. Indirect evidence of cryovolcanic activity was later observed on several other icy moons of our Solar System, including Europa, Titan, Ganymede, and Miranda. Use the Space Volcano Explorer to learn more about our solar system’s many volcanoes.