Investigating the Detectability of Body Wave Phases From Tidal Ice Cracking Events on Titan With the Dragonfly Short‐Period Seismometer
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Detecting seismic activity on Saturn's icy moon Titan during the Dragonfly mission could provide crucial information on its internal structure. The geological complexity of the moon's surface suggests significant cyclic tidal deformation, likely leading to the fracturing of the ice shell. Considering realistic source locations and fault geometries, we assess whether a vertical short‐period seismometer can detect body waves from a 4.0 icequake. Signal‐to‐noise ratios are evaluated by comparing the high‐frequency content with the expected background noise and instrument capabilities for several ice attenuation scenarios and 1D interior models. Our results indicate that the high‐frequency content (Hz) of tidal‐induced icequakes is likely undetectable under the most unfavorable attenuation scenarios and atmospheric conditions. However, seismic signals in the 0.5–1 Hz band—where P wave reflections dominate—may still be observable for events occurring in potential seismically active regions at ∼800–1,000 km from the Dragonfly 's landing site. These signals could provide constraints on the thickness of Titan's outer ice shell, provided that intrinsic attenuation is low and environmental conditions are favorable.
DOI: 10.1029/2025je009432
Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut de physique du globe de Paris, Université Paris Cité, Okayama University, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, University of Aizu, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Language: English
Topic: Astro and Planetary Science
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
OpenAlex ID: W7150946329