Ice can flow inside an icy satellite



This is an image of Antarctic ice flowing.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image courtesy of USGS
The figure to the left is an illustration of the flow of ice in the Antarctic region of the Earth. Ice flows readily, albeit slowly. Terrestrial glaciers are ample evidence of the fact that ice can move. Glaciers flow with a speed of about 2 inches per year. Thus the ice of a moon can readily flow inside a moon in response to being heated from within.


Ice can flow inside an icy satellite



This is an image of Antarctic ice flowing.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image courtesy of USGS
This is a picture of ice flowing at the south pole, or the Antarctic region of the Earth. Ice flows very easily, but very slowly.

Glaciers are perfect examples of the fact that ice can move. Glaciers flow with a speed of about 2 inches per year.

This means that the ice inside of a moon or a planet can easily flow, move, and change, if the moon or planet is heated from within.


Ice can flow inside an icy satellite



This is an image of Antarctic ice flowing.
Click on image for full size version (128K GIF)
Image courtesy of USGS
This is a picture of ice flowing at the south pole, or the Antarctic region of the Earth. Ice flows very easily, but very slowly.

Glaciers are perfect examples of the fact that ice can move. Glaciers flow with a speed of about 2 inches per year.

This means that the ice inside of a moon or a planet can easily flow, move, and change, if the moon or planet is heated from within.



Last modified September 9, 1996 by the Windows Team

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