Titan is the largest moon on the planet Saturn. Scientists have been interested in this satellite for years, mainly because of its similarities to Earth. A few years ago, images captured by the orbiter used by NASA as part of the Cassini mission made it possible to discover the presence of several formations resembling volcanoes in the polar regions of Titan.
Scientists believe that these formations would be proof that explosive eruptions could have taken place on this satellite, years ago. In a recent study published in the scientific journal Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, researchers Charles A. Wood, of the Planetary Science Institute, and Jani Radebaugh, of Brigham Young University, hypothesized that volcanic eruptions could still take place on Titan today.
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To arrive at this conclusion, Charles A. Wood and his colleague studied the images of the Cassini mission.
Volcanic craters located at the North Pole
According to this study, the presence of morphological features such as collapses, raised ramparts or islands, proves that most of the small depressions visible at the North Pole of Titan are craters of volcanic collapse.
“The close association of what are believed to be volcanic craters with the polar lakes coincides with a volcanic origin which results from an explosive eruption followed by a collapse” explains Charles A. Wood.
He went on to point out that “The apparent freshness” of some craters suggests a recent volcanic activity.
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Volcanoes still active?
According to the study by Charles A. Wood, some of these volcanoes may still be active.
“We want to show that there is also evidence of internal heat, which manifests on the surface in the form of cryovolcanoes, resulting from the transformation of ice into liquid water which gushes out from the surface of Titan. “
The volcanic craters spotted on Titan even have similarities to those that can be found on our planet.
“These craters are roughly round, with raised edges, and sometimes overlap. These characteristics are reminiscent of the shapes of other volcanic landforms on Earth and on Mars, formed by explosion, excavation and collapse. “
These formations would be especially visible in the polar regions of Titan, not far from the methane lakes. “They are quite fresh, and may suggest that they are still forming. “
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