There is ample evidence to suggest that Jupiter’s moon Europa is
geologically active, with previous investigations suggesting that a
subset of domical features on the icy moon may be cryovolcanic in
origin. Cryovolcanism, the eruption of water phases or other aqueous
solutions that would otherwise be frozen solid at the normal temperature
of an icy satellite’s surface, has likely played a role in the
resurfacing of Europa in recent geologic time. Although several of these
domes have been classified as extrusive cryovolcanic domes, they have
not been extensively investigated, warranting a re-examination of
cryolava domes on Europa. Here we mapped domical features characterized
by their lobate shape and relatively smooth surfaces. These domes are
distinct from the surrounding terrain and have been interpreted to have
formed via the axisymmetric flow of viscous fluids onto Europa’s
surface. Pinpointing the spatial distribution of these domes and their
geologic context will provide insights into regions of recent geological
activity on Europa and into Europa’s cryovolcanic evolution.
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