Volcanoes in Space
Volcanoes in space are found on objects that have solid surfaces, vents or openings to the surface, and some form of heat. These are the same basic requirements for the formation of volcanoes on Earth.
Tidal heating provides the energy for most volcanoes found in the outer regions of the Solar System. Images from the Voyager spacecraft show that Io is volcanically the most active body in the Solar System. From viewing images of the surface of Io, scientists have noted that it is marked by multi-colored layers of material ejected from volcanoes. Freeman and Kaufmann suggest that the energy for this volcanism comes from a gravitational tug-of-war in which Io is caught between Jupiter and the other Galilean satellites. The tug of war in this case means tidal heating, the source of heating for volcanism on Io. The unique coloration of Io is the result of much volcanic activity and the orange color is due to sulfur ejected from eruptions. The white color is probably sulfur snow, according to the authors.
The Io Torus is one of Io's volcanic plumes. It is formed when particles from Jupiter's magnetosphere collide with the plumes and Io's surface. Ions are knocked out of the plumes and off the surface creating a huge doughnut shaped ring of electrons and ions that encircles Jupiter.
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