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Detailed Reference Information |
Nimmo, F. and Gaidos, E. (2002). Strike-slip motion and double ridge formation on Europa. Journal of Geophysical Research 107: doi: 10.1029/2000JE001476. issn: 0148-0227. |
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There is abundant observational evidence for strike-slip displacement on the surface of Europa. Strike-slip motion between crustal blocks produces shear heating and an increase in temperature. We model the shear heating within the ice crust using a two-dimensional, finite difference formulation, with a near-surface brittle layer of constant specified thickness and a Newtonian ductile layer beneath. We obtain a maximum temperature anomaly of 66 K for a brittle layer thickness of 2 km and shear velocity of 6 ¿ 10-7 m s-1. Such a velocity is appropriate for diurnal (85 hour) tidal motion. The local increase in temperature may cause ~100 m uplift around the shear zone through thermal buoyancy. The stresses required to produce velocities of order 10-7 m s-1 are similar to estimates for present-day tidal stresses on Europa (104--105 Pa). Brittle layer thicknesses >2 km are unlikely to persist at active shear zones because of the effect of shear heating. Shear velocities greater than or equal to ~10-6 m s-1 will give rise to melting at shallow depths. The removal of material by downwards percolation of meltwater may cause surface collapse along the shear zone; inward motion, leading to compression, may also result. The combination of thermally or compression-induced uplift and melt-related collapse may be responsible for the pervasive double ridges seen on Europa's surface. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Planetary Sciences, Tectonics, Planetology, Solar System Objects, Jovian satellites, Tectonophysics, Dynamics of lithosphere and mantle--general, Tectonophysics, Rheology--general |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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