This shows an active volcanic region on Io. The yellow and orange area is newly formed lava, and the dark areas show lava that has cooled down.
Click on image for full size
Courtesy of NASA
Galileo Finds More Volcanoes on Io
News story originally written on June 2, 2000
The Galileo spacecraft photographed volcanoes on the surface of Io, one of Jupiter's moons. Scientists believe there are at least 300 volcanoes on the moon. These volcanoes are somewhat different than those on Earth. The small ones can erupt and then quickly turn dorment in weeks. Other ones stay active for many years at a time.
Last month, Galileo spotted large clouds of sulfur gas in the atmosphere and yellow snow. Galileo will continue to study Jupiter and its satellites, turning next to the moon Ganymede and Jupiter's Great Red Spot.
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