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Science 4 October 1991:
Vol. 254. no. 5028, pp. 89 - 91
DOI: 10.1126/science.254.5028.89
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Articles

Periodic Hot-Spot Distribution on Io

ATSUSHI YAMAJI 1

1 Department of Earth Sciences, College of General Education, Tohoku University, Kawauchi, Sendai 980, Japan

The Jovian satellite Io has active volcanic hot spots. The point-to-point correlation of the hot-spot distribution indicates that the hot spots preferentially make chains. The arrangement of the chains is periodic with a typical spacing of 120 kilometers. The chains exhibit concordant trends with stresses imposed by the tidal deflection of the lithosphere, suggesting that the hot spots are formed along fissures in the lithosphere. The typical spacing may be controlled by lithosphere thickness.

Submitted on February 7, 1991
Accepted on August 1, 1991

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)