This is an image of the volcano Loki.
Click on image for full size
NASA

Volcanism of Io

Io has active volcanism. It is the only body in the solar system other than the Earth known have active volcanic features. As shown in this picture, the surface is formed almost entirely of volcanic flows or pools of volcanic material.

The volcanism of Io provides another example of a prominent kind of volcanism found on Earth, namely the formation of geysers. The two kinds of volcanism on Io are:

  • volcanoes, which form from rocky-silicate magmas similar to those of Earth
  • geysers, spouting liquid SO2 instead of liquid H2O.

Hotspots of Io reveal where the volcanoes are. The most well known and active volcanic features of Io are:


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The Earth Scientist, Volume XXV, Issue 3, Fall 2009

The Fall 2009 issue of The Earth Scientist includes a collection of Earth and Space Science articles for you, covering the current efforts to save Louisiana’s Lake Pontchartrain, student research into building design as it relates to earthquake damage, an exciting Earth Science project and resource from the United Kingdom...more

Lava

Lava is the word for magma (molten rock) which is on the surface of the Earth. After being released from the magma chamber and cooling, lava hardens into rock. The term lava can describe active flows,...more

Geysers of Io

When Voyager flew by Io the surprise discovery was the geyser, Prometheus, in full eruption. Geysers such as Prometheus spout pools of liquid around the vent, rather than a channel of lava. Features which...more

Hotspots of Io

Hotspots measured in the infrared help scientists know where the volcanoes & geysers of Io are actually located. This picture shows an infrared map of Io at the top, and the same image of Io, in visible...more

Prometheus

This is an image of the geyser, Prometheus. The black marking in the center of the image is the mouth of the geyser. This opening is encircled by a pool of material. ...more

Pelee

In the foreground of this image is shown the geyser, Pelee. ...more

Do Other Planets have a surface in Motion?

Let's look at the evidence: Mercury Venus The Moon Mars Io Europa Ganymede Callisto Triton Miranda What about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Titan, or Pluto? These planets or moons either have no surface,...more

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