The density structure of Titan's outer ice shell

Kód výsledku v IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11320%2F21%3A10435863" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11320/21:10435863 - isvavai.cz</a>

Výsledek na webu

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=lj51IrFEEL" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=lj51IrFEEL</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114466" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.icarus.2021.114466</a>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

The density structure of Titan's outer ice shell

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

We use the recent models of Titan&apos;s shape and gravity to estimate the large-scale density structure of its outer ice shell. We assume that the bottom boundary of the ice shell is an equipotential surface, in agreement with the decrease in ice viscosity expected near the ice/water interface, and the topography is supported by density variations within the ice shell. The density model shows strong degree 2 and 4 zonal components, indicating an important role of atmospheric and/or oceanic processes. We discuss three mechanisms that may explain the derived density anomalies: ethane precipitation, temperature anomalies and variations in porosity. While ethane precipitation provides a plausible explanation for positive density anomalies associated with polar depressions, large-scale variations in temperature are likely to play a role at mid- and low latitudes. These variations can be associated with a laterally varying thickness of the methane clathrate crust, which controls the heat transport in the ice shell, and/or with variations in the heat flux from the ocean. The density of the ice shell can also be affected by variations in porosity of the near-surface material, but these variations are unlikely to be the main cause of the large-scale density anomalies identified from the shape and gravity data.

Název v anglickém jazyce

The density structure of Titan's outer ice shell

Popis výsledku anglicky

We use the recent models of Titan&apos;s shape and gravity to estimate the large-scale density structure of its outer ice shell. We assume that the bottom boundary of the ice shell is an equipotential surface, in agreement with the decrease in ice viscosity expected near the ice/water interface, and the topography is supported by density variations within the ice shell. The density model shows strong degree 2 and 4 zonal components, indicating an important role of atmospheric and/or oceanic processes. We discuss three mechanisms that may explain the derived density anomalies: ethane precipitation, temperature anomalies and variations in porosity. While ethane precipitation provides a plausible explanation for positive density anomalies associated with polar depressions, large-scale variations in temperature are likely to play a role at mid- and low latitudes. These variations can be associated with a laterally varying thickness of the methane clathrate crust, which controls the heat transport in the ice shell, and/or with variations in the heat flux from the ocean. The density of the ice shell can also be affected by variations in porosity of the near-surface material, but these variations are unlikely to be the main cause of the large-scale density anomalies identified from the shape and gravity data.

Druh

J_imp - Článek v periodiku v databázi Web of Science

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

10500 - Earth and related environmental sciences

Projekt

<a href="/cs/project/GA19-10809S" target="_blank" >GA19-10809S: Termomechanické procesy v ledových měsících z pohledu numerického modelování</a><br>

Návaznosti

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Rok uplatnění

2021

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Název periodika

Icarus

ISSN

0019-1035

e-ISSN

—

Svazek periodika

364

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

August

Stát vydavatele periodika

US - Spojené státy americké

Počet stran výsledku

12

Strana od-do

114466

Kód UT WoS článku

000652057800008

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-85104057841