Large-scale cryovolcanic resurfacing on Pluto

Kelsi N. Singer (), Oliver L. White, Bernard Schmitt, Erika L. Rader, Silvia Protopapa, William M. Grundy, Dale P. Cruikshank, Tanguy Bertrand, Paul M. Schenk, William B. McKinnon, S. Alan Stern, Rajani D. Dhingra, Kirby D. Runyon, Ross A. Beyer, Veronica J. Bray, Cristina Dalle Ore, John R. Spencer, Jeffrey M. Moore, Francis Nimmo, James T. Keane, Leslie A. Young, Catherine B. Olkin, Tod R. Lauer, Harold A. Weaver and Kimberly Ennico-Smith
Additional contact information
Kelsi N. Singer: Southwest Research Institute
Oliver L. White: Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute
Bernard Schmitt: Université Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, IPAG
Erika L. Rader: University of Idaho
Silvia Protopapa: Southwest Research Institute
William M. Grundy: Lowell Observatory
Dale P. Cruikshank: Space Science Division
Tanguy Bertrand: Space Science Division
Paul M. Schenk: Lunar and Planetary Institute
William B. McKinnon: Washington University
S. Alan Stern: Southwest Research Institute
Rajani D. Dhingra: California Institute of Technology
Kirby D. Runyon: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Ross A. Beyer: Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute
Veronica J. Bray: University of Arizona
Cristina Dalle Ore: Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute
John R. Spencer: Southwest Research Institute
Jeffrey M. Moore: Space Science Division
Francis Nimmo: University of California
James T. Keane: California Institute of Technology
Leslie A. Young: Southwest Research Institute
Catherine B. Olkin: Southwest Research Institute
Tod R. Lauer: National Science Foundation National Optical Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory
Harold A. Weaver: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Kimberly Ennico-Smith: Space Science Division

Nature Communications, 2022, vol. 13, issue 1, 1-9

Abstract: Abstract The New Horizons spacecraft returned images and compositional data showing that terrains on Pluto span a variety of ages, ranging from relatively ancient, heavily cratered areas to very young surfaces with few-to-no impact craters. One of the regions with very few impact craters is dominated by enormous rises with hummocky flanks. Similar features do not exist anywhere else in the imaged solar system. Here we analyze the geomorphology and composition of the features and conclude this region was resurfaced by cryovolcanic processes, of a type and scale so far unique to Pluto. Creation of this terrain requires multiple eruption sites and a large volume of material (>104 km3) to form what we propose are multiple, several-km-high domes, some of which merge to form more complex planforms. The existence of these massive features suggests Pluto’s interior structure and evolution allows for either enhanced retention of heat or more heat overall than was anticipated before New Horizons, which permitted mobilization of water-ice-rich materials late in Pluto’s history.

Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29056-3

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