An image of Europa's surface, showing many features indicating the presence of a submerged ocean
Click on image for full size
Image courtesy of NASA

Does Europa Have an Ocean?

The surface of Europa shows many signs of that there may be an ocean under the surface:

* flooded terrain

* 'freckles'

* rafting

* 'mushy' craters, and

* spreading centers.

Taken together, these pieces of evidence make it virtually certain that there is an ocean under the icy surface of Europa.
Last modified September 18, 2003 by Roberta Johnson.

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