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Magma transport of heat on Io: A mechanism allowing a thick lithosphere
Author(s) -
O'Reilly Thomas C.,
Davies Geoffrey F.
Publication year - 1981
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/gl008i004p00313
Subject(s) - lithosphere , advection , geology , thermal conduction , magma , heat flow , heat transfer , petrology , geophysics , volcano , heat flux , flow (mathematics) , high heat , thermal , mechanics , seismology , thermodynamics , tectonics , materials science , physics , composite material
Models indicate that the high heat flow from Io would result in a very thin (approximately 5 km) silicate lithosphere overlying a molten interior, if all heat was transported through the lithosphere via conduction. However, the presence of mountains with relief in excess of 10 km would seem to demand a thick lithosphere, at least locally. A significant fraction of Io's heat flow may be transported via advection through volcanoes. Advective heat transfer permits a thicker lithosphere than does pure conduction, possibly reconciling Io's high heat flow with the rugged topography.