Does Europa have a internal heat source?
Yes, there is. -quote- ” Recent Galileo data shows there is some internal heating emanating from Europa. With this heat as an energy source, the prospect of life becomes exciting. Such heating can be attributed to several sources, such as the normal decay of radioactive material; however, the majority of heating is thought to occur from tidal flexing as a result of Jupiter’s enormous gravity pull (Beatty, et. al., pg 254). Using the moon Io as a model, we see prominent volcanism as a result of this tidal energy from Jupiter (Beatty, et. al., pg 245). The same effects of tidal flexing may also cause volcanism on Europa, called cryo-volcanism (Beatty, et. al, pg 254). The friction heat caused by this flexing will also allow the water to remain liquid under the icy surface. The smooth surface and the presence of bulging and fractures point to some active geology that could indicate cryo-volcanism. Further evidence of cryo-vulcanism is present in the form of localized bulging, triple fract
