(ORDO NEWS) — Despite its relatively small size, Enceladus, the sixth largest of Saturn’s 83 moons, is considered by astronomers to be one of the most interesting bodies in our solar system.
It is known for spraying tiny particles of icy silica. There are so many of them that these particles are an important component of Saturn’s second ring.
Enceladus is characterized as an “ocean world“. Its ocean is protected by a thick layer of ice.
However, the ice does not completely capture the ocean: some materials from the water expanse are released near the warmer south pole of Enceladus from large cracks in the ice, known as “tiger stripes”.
Silica particles ejected by Enceladus begin their journey on the sea floor, far below the surface of the moon – and to date, scientists do not know how this happens and how long this process takes.
A new study by UCLA researchers offers some answers. The study shows that tidal heating in the rocky core of Enceladus creates currents that carry the silica. It is likely released by deep sea hydrothermal vents over several months.
A team of scientists analyzed data on Enceladus’ orbit, ocean and geology collected by NASA‘s Cassini spacecraft. Scientists have built a theoretical model that could explain the transport of silica across the ocean.
The active geology of Enceladus is fueled by tidal forces as it orbits Saturn – the moon is pulled and squeezed by gravity. This deformation creates friction both in the icy shell of the moon and in its core.
The new model has shown that friction heats up the ocean floor enough to create a current that carries silica particles to the surface.
Cassini has detected significant amounts of hydrogen gas in the plumes, which, together with silica, provide strong evidence of hydrothermal activity on the ocean floor.
The theoretical model supports this hypothesis, showing a plausible time frame for the process and a convincing mechanism that could explain why the plumes contain silica.
The model would also help explain why other materials are transported to the surface along with the silica particles.
“Our model provides further support for the idea that convective turbulence in the ocean efficiently transports vital nutrients from the seafloor to the ice sheet,” said second author Emily Hawkins, assistant professor of physics at Loyola Marymount University.
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