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An Analysis of the Recent Global Geologic History of Europa: Evidence for Clustered Resurfacing and a Lack of True Polar Wander

Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Global geologic mapping shows that Europa’s surface is made up of an array of features including extensive ridged plains, regions of broad disruption termed chaos terrain, quasi‐linear ridges that span thousands of km, and bands up to 60 km wide that extend for 100–1000s of km. The global geology of Europa serves as a window into the interior evolution over the visible surface history (i.e., the past 100 My). By analyzing the youngest surface features on Europa, we aim to understand recent resurfacing mechanisms and provide insight into potential current activity. Based on the global stratigraphic framework generated by Leonard et al. (2024, https://doi.org/10.3133/sim3513 ), we have undertaken a quantitative geographic assessment of two key geologic features: cycloids and microchaos. We find that the dominant E‐W trend in the global cycloid population indicates that True Polar Wander (TPW) of Europa’s ice shell must not have occurred during or since the formation of cycloids, and therefore not in the geologically recent past. Additionally, using a density map to analyze the global distribution of microchaos, we found that microchaos are significantly clustered. The apparent correlation of microchaos clusters with chaos edges and lineaments suggests an evolutionary link and we propose a geologic model where lineament formation weakens the icy lithosphere leading to microchaos formation and eventually broader occurrences of chaos. Assuming chaos formation is ongoing, dense microchaos clusters may be among the most promising locations to search for current activity with the upcoming Europa Clipper and JUICE missions.
DOI: 10.1029/2026je009941
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
OpenAlex ID: W7222876472
FWCI:
Cites: 22
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Related to: 10