In other worlds
DR. T. V. PADMA
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There is evidence that volcanoes occur on the moon and other planets.
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Photo : AP
Volcanic crater: On Jupiter’s moon Io.
Volcanic features aren’t exclusive to our planet. Our satellite, the moon, exhibits volcanic features, as does Io, a Jovian satellite (one of the moons of the planet Jupiter). So do other planets in our solar system, most notably Mars and Venus.
The volcanic features on Mars are similar in shape to those on Earth. Scientists suspect that they were probably formed by similar processes, and that volcanism has been significant throughout Martian history. However, it is interesting to note that they also feel there is no geological evidence yet of recent plate tectonic motion such as that on Earth.
Images
Scientists have identified more than 1700 volcanic centres on Venus. The craters vary greatly in size, shape, and eruptive activity.
Undoubtedly the most spectacularly volcanic planetary body is Io, the moon closest to the giant planet Jupiter. In 1979, images from the Voyager 1 spacecraft arrived on Earth. They showed active volcanic plumes rising up to 300 km above this tiny moon’s surface. The surface is pockmarked with volcanic centres, and at least around 70 of these are active.
One of the foremost researchers in the field of planetary geology was Dr. Eugene Shoemaker. He helped map the surface of the moon.
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