Scientists suggest there is an 'ice volcano' on Pluto; understand this theory

On our planet, the deeper the Earth's layer, the higher the temperature. In view of this, it is impossible to imagine a volcano without associating it with high thermal levels.

This is because the lava expelled with the dynamism of tectonic plates comes from the innermost layers of the Earth. Therefore, an active volcano expels magma, material that is basically the substrate of rocks melted at high temperatures.

However, the opposite happens in Pluto. Scientists have discovered what could be an impressive “icy volcano”. The discovery was revealed by a team led by planetary scientist, Dale Cruikshank.

The theory of volcanoPluto ice cream was published as an article in the arXiv repository, which analyzes the structure of the dwarf planet and presents a fascinating explanation for the existence of what is now called a “cryovolcano”.

Pluto’s “cryovolcano”

The Kiladze crater is in the Hayabusa Terra region and is the epicenter of this discovery. Nearly 44 kilometers in diameter, the crater is notable for its history of eruptions.

(Image: NASA, Johns Hopkins University/APL, Southwest Research Institute/Reproduction)

However, unlike terrestrial volcanoes that spew incandescent lava, eruptions at Kiladze release “criolava”, a substance made up of volatile compounds such as frozen water and ammonia.

One of the most intriguing features of Kiladze crater is its relative youth, suggesting that its now observed activity has occurred over the past few million years.

The research team believes that several eruptions may have occurred since the structure's creation. Furthermore, the crater stands out for its peculiar surroundings, where frozen water and ammonia cover the surface. This contrasts with most of Pluto, which is characterized by frozen methane and nitrogen.

The combination of these elements suggests the presence of an internal process that transports such a mixture of compounds from Pluto's interior to the dwarf planet's surface.

How is this “icy lava” created?

The hypothesis of an active cryovolcano implies that something has happened inside the planet, allowing frozen water to appear on the surface.

Scientists believe this heat is generated by the decay of radioactive elements in Pluto's core. This discovery raises the possibility of an ocean of liquid water or even pockets of ice and mud within it.

The presence of ammonia on Pluto's surface is also an enigma to be solved. Ammonia is believed to have originated in the interior of the dwarf planet, as it has the ability to reduce the freezing point of water, making it easier for it to flow as frozen “magma” through the cryovolcanoes.

However, it's important to note that the study, which raises a number of fascinating questions about Pluto and its geology, was published in the arXiv repository and has not yet gone through the review process by pairs.

This means that the scientific community will now have the opportunity to evaluate and debate the results of this groundbreaking research, which sheds new light on the mysteries of Pluto and its volcanic potential cryogenic.

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