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Geology and topography of Ra Patera, Io, in the Voyager era: Prelude to eruption
Author(s) -
Schenk Paul M.,
McEwen Alfred,
Davies A. G.,
Davenport Trevor,
Jones Kevin,
Fessler Brain
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/97gl02688
Subject(s) - geology , lava , volcano , plateau (mathematics) , volcanism , volcanology , earth science , seismology , tectonics , mathematical analysis , mathematics
Voyager era stereo images are used to map the geology and topography of Ra Patera (a major active volcanic center and possible site of sulfur eruptions on Io). The summit of Ra Patera reaches only ∼1 km above the surrounding plains. Pre‐Voyager‐era lava flows occur on slopes of 0.1–0.3°, comparable to the lunar mare. These flows were emplaced at either low viscosities, high eruption rates, or both. A 600‐km‐long ridged mountain unit (rising to ∼8 km near Carancho Patera) forms a 60 by 90 km wide plateau ∼0.5 km high 50 km east of Ra Patera. The new lava flows observed by Galileo flowed around the southern edge of this plateau.