Callisto Tectonism



This is an image of the surface of Callisto.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA's Galileo spacecraft

No signs of tectonism have been seen on the surface of Callisto. The surface of Callisto was carefully examined for types of faulting and fracture. These would have provided evidence of the kind of stress (pushing and shoving) which the crust of Callisto has undergone through time.

Examination of the surface of Callisto shows only that there has been gradual slumping, or "relaxation" of the craters, and what is termed "sublimation-erosion" of the surface.

This type of surface is perhaps unique in the solar system. It is certainly a different type of surface that either that ofGanymede or Europa. (The other major moon of Jupiter, Io has a more conventional form of volcanism.) The difference has to do with the lack of processes in the interior of Callisto.


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Return to Callisto surface & interior


Does Callisto have a Surface in Motion?



This is an image of the surface of Callisto.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA's Galileo spacecraft

No signs of crustal movements have been seen on the surface of Callisto! The surface of Callisto was carefully examined for signs of faulting and fracture. These would have provided evidence of pushing and shoving of the crust of Callisto from processes inside.

Examination of the surface of Callisto shows only that there has been gradual slumping, or "relaxation" of the craters, and what is termed "sublimation-erosion" of the surface.

This type of surface is perhaps unique in the solar system. It is certainly a different type of surface that either that ofGanymede or Europa. (The other major moon of Jupiter, Io, exhibits volcanism over the entire surface.) The difference may have to do with the lack of heat in the interior of Callisto.


Return to moons

Return to Callisto surface & interior


Does Callisto have a Surface in Motion?



This is an image of the surface of Callisto.
Click on image for full size version (92K GIF)
Image from: NASA's Galileo spacecraft

No signs of surface movements have been seen on the surface of Callisto!

The surface of Callisto was carefully examined for signs of the kind of pushing and shoving which the crust of the Earth has undergone through time, and nothing has been found so far.

This type of surface is certainly different from either that ofGanymede or Europa. (The other major moon of Jupiter, Io has many volcanoes.)

The difference may have to do with the lack of heat inside of Callisto.


Return to moons

Return to Callisto surface & interior



Last modified April 28, 1997 by the Windows Team

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