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sci.geo.geology |
It is liquid water volcanism. Otherwise there would be no crystalline
ice. There is very likely steam that would explain the geysers of ice. A
large amount of water is constantly ejected from the moon and feeds ring
E. It is evident that this phenomenon is going on for a long time. In
addition, most of Enceladus surface is young (low cratering) with the
young floor surrounding the ridges, especially the southern pole at the
"tiger stripes". It means that the young floor was spread by the tiger
stripes. This is reminiscent to Earth's ocean floor. Of course, all that
water ejected in space or spread at the surface must come from somewhere
as the moon show no sign of depletion.
Secondly, the surface of Enceladus is full of open fractures. It implies
a tensional stress all over the surface without evidence for
compressional stress at all. It is a strong argument for an expansion of
the surface. Besides, we have similar clues from other moons like
Ganymede, Miranda, or Ariel... and from the Earth.
This is clearly a universal phenomenon: Telluric planets/moons (an
likely gaseous one) are growing.
Live with it or go back to your cave.
--
Florian
"Toute vérité passe par trois phases. D'abord, elle est ridiculisée;
ensuite, elle rencontre une vive opposition avant d'être acceptée comme
une totale évidence" - Arthur Schopenhauer