Structures on Europa

Abstract

Four classes of lineation patterns have been identified on Europa in the area covered by high-resolution Voyager 2 images. These include dark, wedge-shaped bands in the west-central part of the area; triple bands associated with diagonally trending, global lineations; gray concentric curvilinear bands in the southeastern part; and ridges near the terminator. The major structures appear to have been formed by tidal forces centered on the axis pointing toward Jupiter, but variations in the detail of the structural patterns may have been caused by internal forces. The older strain patterns tend to be rejuvenated by younger fractures. The most persistent rejuvenated strain patterns are the global diagonal fractures, probably formed by conjugate shear, and the straight and curvilinear fractures that apparently caused an early dichotomy in fracture patterns.