Just so there is no confusion about the statement below made by a
recent list poster, there is no evidence of plate tectonics on
Europa. Tidal stresses certainly seem to be the cause of much of the
deformation there, but this deformation is in a relatively thin shell
of ice above liquid water (at least, this is the idea that most
current theories promulgate). Also, keep in mind that the ratio in
size of Jupiter and Europa far exceeds that of the Earth and its moon.
-Simon
>
>Intuitition coupled with images of the Jovian moon Europa....says
>the moon may be a canidate driver of plate tectonics. I know the
>forces are again small compared to g, but any ideas on this? When
>did the Earth moon system reach it's current state of equilibrium?
>Any ideas on the meeting and settling down period? And while
>everyone's at it......How about the cause of pangea?
>
>Thanks,
>
>James
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Simon Kattenhorn
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Geological Sciences
University of Idaho
P.O. Box 443022
Moscow, ID 83844-3022
Ph: (208) 885-5063 (office)
Ph.: (208) 885-5152 (lab)
FAX: (208) 885-5724
http://www.uidaho.edu/~simkat
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