Old Faithful Model for Radiolytic Gas-Driven Cryovolcanism at Enceladus
Abstract
A new model is described that may contribute to the plumes of gas associated with the south polar tiger stripes observed by Cassini on Enceladus. This model relies on chemically-driven cryovolcanism in the form of oxidation reactions between radiolytically produced oxidants, such as H2O2 and O2, and primordially abundant reductants such as NH3 and CH4. Oxidants can accumulate at depth by either rheological flows or by burial from cryovolcanic plume ejecta over millions-year timescales. The oxidants and reductant react exothermically to produce volatile gases driving gas-volcanism by gas-piston forces on any sub-surface liquid reservoirs. The radiolytic energy available to the icy surface can account for the observed plume flow rates if the radiolytically-produced chemical energy can be stored over time and released in "Old Faithful"-type episodic behavior. The details of our model will be given along with a discussion of how it may fit within the context of other proposed models and recently acquired data.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2009
- Bibcode:
- 2009AGUFM.P41D..02C
- Keywords:
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- 5421 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Interactions with particles and fields;
- 5422 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLID SURFACE PLANETS / Ices;
- 6063 PLANETARY SCIENCES: COMETS AND SMALL BODIES / Volcanism;
- 6280 PLANETARY SCIENCES: SOLAR SYSTEM OBJECTS / Saturnian satellites