U.S. scientists produce first geological map of Jupiter moon

A group of scientists of the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson, Arizona, has produced the first global geologic map of Io, the innermost large moon of Jupiter. Published by the U. S. Geological Survey, it technically illustrates the geologic character of some of the most unique and active volcanoes ever documented in the solar system.

Io was discovered in 1610, and its geologic map differs from other USGS releases because surface features were characterized using four distinct global image mosaics, taken from NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 missions (acquired in 1979) as well as the Galileo orbiter (1995-2003). The highly detailed, colorful map reveals a number of volcanic features, including: volcanic domes and depressions, lava flow fields, mountains, plume deposits, and sulfur- and sulfur dioxide-rich plains.

Despite this geologic diversity, there is one particular feature that is common to the Moon, Mars, and even Earth that is not depicted on the geologic map of Io - impact craters. The "Geologic Map of Io" (USGS Scientific Investigations Map 3168) is available online.