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Detailed Reference Information |
Sandwell, D., Rosen, P., Moore, W. and Gurrola, E. (2004). Radar interferometry for measuring tidal strains across cracks on Europa. Journal of Geophysical Research 109: doi: 10.1029/2004JE002276. issn: 0148-0227. |
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A major uncertainty in understanding the interaction between the surface of Europa and its ocean below is the present-day activity of fractures. Using well-constrained models for tidal strain and a force balance in a cracked shell, we estimate the shear and normal displacement of cracks that penetrate upward from the base of the shell. If more than half of the plate is fractured, then surface displacements having amplitudes of 3 to 30 cm will be localized in a band 1 to 100 km from the crack. Plate spreading will occur if more than ~85% of the plate is fractured. The pattern of deformation is sensitive to both the percentage of plate that is cracked and the total thickness of the shell. Repeat-pass radar interferometry could easily detect and map the activity of the cracks during a short experiment from a variety of suitable orbits with repeating ground tracks. |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Geodesy and Gravity, Planetary geodesy and gravity (5420, 5714, 6019), Geodesy and Gravity, Satellite orbits, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Tectonics, Planetology, Solid Surface Planets, Instruments and techniques, crack, Europa, interferometry |
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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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