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Compositional layering in Io driven by magmatic segregation and volcanism
  • +2
  • Daniel Conrad Spencer,
  • Richard Foa Katz,
  • Ian Joseph Hewitt,
  • Dave May,
  • Laszlo Kestay
Daniel Conrad Spencer
University of Oxford

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Richard Foa Katz
University of Oxford
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Ian Joseph Hewitt
University of Oxford
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Dave May
University of Oxford
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Laszlo Kestay
United States Geological Survey
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Abstract

Magmatic segregation and volcanic eruptions transport tidal heat from Io’s interior toits surface. Several observed eruptions appear to be extremely high temperature (≥1600 K),suggesting either very high degrees of melting, refractory source regions, or large amountsof viscous heating on ascent. To address this ambiguity, we develop a model that cou-ples crust and mantle dynamics to a simple compositional system. We analyse the modelto investigate chemical structure and evolution. We demonstrate that magmatic segre-gation and volcanic eruptions lead to differentiation of the mantle, the extent of whichdepends on how easily high temperature melts from the more refractory lower mantlecan migrate upwards. We propose that Io’s highest temperature eruptions originate fromthis lower mantle region, and that such eruptions act to limit the degree of compositionaldifferentiation.
Sep 2020Published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets volume 125 issue 9. 10.1029/2020JE006604