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Frictional Sliding of Cold Ice: A Fundamental Process Underlying Tectonic Activity Within Icy Satellites

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The Science of Solar System Ices

Part of the book series: Astrophysics and Space Science Library ((ASSL,volume 356))

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Abstract

Frictional sliding is a fundamental process underlying tectonic activity within the crusts of Enceladus, Europa and other icy satellites. Provided that the coefficient of friction is not too high, sliding can account for the generation of active plumes within Enceladus "tiger stripes" and for the development of certain fracture features on Europa. This paper reviews current knowledge of frictional sliding in water ice Ih, and then raises a number of questions relevant to tectonic modeling.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    When loaded to terminal failure under triaxial confinement, ice exhibits two kinds of shear fault (Schulson 2002b). Under low confinement, faults are comprised of bands of damage oriented at an angle θ to the maximum (i.e., most compressive) principal stress σ 1 , where \( \theta = \frac{1}{2}\arctan\, \frac{1}{\mu } \) and where μ is the internal friction coefficient whose value is similar to the dynamic coefficient of friction (Schulson et al. 2006a, b); typically, θ = 25–30°. Such faults are termed Coulombic faults. Under high confinement, frictional sliding is suppressed. Faulting still occurs, but the faults are now comprised of narrow bands of plastically deformed/recrystallized material oriented along planes of maximum applied shear stress; i.e., at ~ 45° to σ 1 . Such faults are termed plastic faults .

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA

    Erland M. Schulson

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  1. Erland M. Schulson
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Correspondence to Erland M. Schulson .

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  1. NASA Jet Propulsion Lab., California Institute of Technology, Oak Grove Drive 4800, Pasadena, 91109-8099, California, USA

    Murthy S. Gudipati

  2. NASA Jet Propulsion Lab., California Institute of Technology, Oak Grove Drive 4800, Pasadena, 91109-8099, California, USA

    Julie Castillo-Rogez

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Schulson, E.M. (2013). Frictional Sliding of Cold Ice: A Fundamental Process Underlying Tectonic Activity Within Icy Satellites. In: Gudipati, M., Castillo-Rogez, J. (eds) The Science of Solar System Ices. Astrophysics and Space Science Library, vol 356. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3076-6_6

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