Dormant volcanoes on Mars tell us that its interior was once warm enough to driv

Question

Dormant volcanoes on Mars tell us that its interior was once warm enough to drive geological activity. Impact craters on top of these volcanoes tell us that Mars has been geologically dead for quite some time (or the craters would have been covered up by lava flows). We believe Mars is dead now because it cooled and solidified; smaller worlds like Mars, Mercury, and Earth’s Moon cool more rapidly than larger worlds like Earth and Venus.

a) Mars is larger than all of the moons in the solar system, and yet many Jovian satellites remain geologically active today. Describe two reasons why these Jovian satellites remain geologically active, while larger terrestrial planets are already geologically dead.

b) Identify a characteristic that is unique to each of the following Jovian satellites: Io, Europa, Titan, Enceladus, Triton. (Approach this as though you are constructing a “matching” question for the exam. What unique clue would you give for each satellite?)

Explanation / Answer

a) There is a wide range in the level of geological activeness of terrestrial planets.

Internal source of geological activity requires energy, either in the form of primordial heat left over from the formation of planet, and other reason is the decay of radioactive element in the interior. The larger the planet or moon, the More slowly it cools. Therefore we are more likely to see the evidence of continuing geological activity on the surface of larger planets.

b) Many of the Jovian satellites exhibit unique characteristics, and the question mentioned satellites have the following properties:-

(1) Lo - This is a Galilean moon and is geologically most active among the other satellites of Jupiter.

(2) Europa- This is also a Galilean moon with the smoothest surface, and has salt water ocean.

(3) Titan- It seems same like a planet, and includes a unique atmosphere.

(4) Enceladus- Most interesting fact about this satellite is, that it has same amount of water available as on earth.

(5) Triton- It has a unique retrograde orbit, and is also named for ice geysers.

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