Compositional layering in Io driven by magmatic segregation and volcanism

Abstract

Magmatic segregation and volcanic eruptions transport tidal heat from Io's interior to its surface. Several observed eruptions appear to be extremely high temperature ($\ge$ 1600 K), suggesting either very high degrees of melting, refractory source regions, or large amounts of viscous heating on ascent. To address this ambiguity, we develop a model that couples crust and mantle dynamics to a simple compositional system. We analyse the model to investigate chemical structure and evolution. We demonstrate that magmatic segregation and volcanic eruptions lead to differentiation of the mantle, the extent of which depends on how easily high temperature melts from the more refractory lower mantle can migrate upwards. We propose that Io's highest temperature eruptions originate from this lower mantle region, and that such eruptions act to limit the degree of compositional differentiation.

arXiv commentAccepted at Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets

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Cited by in corpus (1)

• Tidal controls on the lithospheric thickness and topography of Io from magmatic segregation and volcanism modelling