Hidden oceans on distant icy moons might actually be boiling underneath
Intense internal friction within icy moons like Enceladus and Europa may generate enough heat to create localized boiling zones and hydrothermal vents at the bottom of their subsurface oceans.
Deep beneath the frozen crusts of icy moons, tidal heating creates surprising thermal activity. As moons like Saturn's Enceladus are stretched by gravity, internal friction generates immense heat. Recent research suggests this energy may cause water at the seafloor to reach boiling temperatures, fueling powerful hydrothermal vents.
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