‘Ocean of Fire’: Juno data says Io’s magma sea may never have existed
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Ocean Disputed
Juno’s latest data challenges the idea of a global magma ocean on Io, showing the volcanic moon’s interior is more solid than scientists believed.
Molten Myth?
For years, Io’s extreme volcanic activity was blamed on an underground magma sea, but new tidal deformation measurements suggest no such global ocean exists.
Solid Surprise
Rather than sloshing magma, Io’s mantle appears mostly solid, reshaping how scientists think Jupiter’s gravitational pull heats this violent moon.
Volcano Mystery
If there’s no magma ocean, how does Io remain the most volcanic body in the solar system? Juno’s data sparks new theories about hidden heat sources.
Gravity’s Limits
Jupiter’s tidal forces, long thought to melt Io’s insides, might not be enough to sustain a global ocean of magma — hinting at a more complex planetary interior.
Deep Unknowns
Though Juno rules out a shallow magma ocean, scientists still wonder if deeper magma pockets could fuel Io’s violent eruptions — a mystery left unsolved.
Planetary Rethink
Io’s lack of a magma ocean forces scientists to rethink tidal heating on other moons like Europa and Enceladus, where hidden oceans are still suspected.
Juno’s Revelation
NASA’s Juno spacecraft, designed to study Jupiter, unexpectedly rewrote Io’s story, showing that even the most volcanic moon may lack an underground sea of fire.
Volcanic Paradox
If Io is solid inside, what drives its relentless volcanic eruptions? The answer could reshape what we know about how planets and moons generate heat.