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Large-scale cryovolcanic resurfacing on Pluto
Kelsi N Singer1, Oliver L White2, Bernard Schmitt3
1Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO, 80302, USA. ksinger@boulder.swri.edu.
Nature Communications
|March 30, 2022
Summary
Pluto
Area of Science:
- Planetary Science
- Geology
- Astrobiology
Background:
- New Horizons mission data reveals diverse terrains on Pluto.
- Pluto exhibits ancient, cratered surfaces alongside geologically young regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the geomorphology and composition of unique hummocky terrains on Pluto.
- To investigate the processes responsible for resurfacing young regions on Pluto.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-resolution images from the New Horizons spacecraft.
- Compositional data analysis of Pluto's surface features.
Main Results:
- Identified unique, massive rises with hummocky flanks in a young region on Pluto.
- Concluded these features were formed by large-scale cryovolcanic processes, unique to Pluto.
- Estimated material volume exceeding 10^4 km^3 for dome formation.
Conclusions:
- Pluto's cryovolcanic activity suggests significant internal heat or enhanced heat retention.
- These processes mobilized water-ice-rich materials late in Pluto's geological history.
- The findings challenge previous assumptions about Pluto's internal evolution.
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