Astronomy - USA (2019-09)

(Antfer) #1

Water-rock reactions Hydrothermal vents Surface jets


Ice


shell


Ocean


Rocky


core


Ice-coated particles

South polar region

Brittle ice

Ductile ice

Cracks filled
with salt water

Hotspots
on seafloor

Hydrothermal circulation

(^3). (^1) mi
( 5 les
km)
(^40). (^4) m
( 6 iles
(^5) km)
POWERING THE GEYSERS
THE CASSINI SPACECRAFT detected hydrogen in the plume of gas and
icy material spraying from Enceladus during its final, deepest dive through the
plume October 28, 2015. By studying the plumes, researchers hope to determine
the composition of this moon’s subsurface ocean. This graphic illustrates a theory
on how water interacts with rock at the bottom of the ocean, producing hydrogen.
NASA/JPL-CALTECH/SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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