Plate tectonics on europa. We propose to investigate the extent of, and geological processes involved in, plate tectonics on europa through scientific objectives including characterization of the…

This is a grant award from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to The Johns Hopkins University to investigate plate tectonics on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. The $419,054.72 grant will fund research to characterize the morphology of potential subduction zones, conduct tectonic reconstructions, assess the rigidity of plate behavior, test the geodynamic viability of plate tectonics on Europa, and develop a new paradigm for Europa's ice shell deformation. This work is highly relevant to NASA's Solar System Workings program and could inform planning for the Europa Clipper mission. The grant does not have a set-aside designation and is set to run through June 2022. The Johns Hopkins University is a private research university and has a history of providing scientific research, specialized training, and technical services to federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Defense, and Department of Justice.

Plate tectonics on europa. We propose to investigate the extent of, and geological processes involved in, plate tectonics on europa through scientific objectives including characterization of the morphology of candidate sites of subduction on europa, detailed tectonic reconstructions of other candidate subduction zones, assessment of the rigidity of apparent plate behavior and plate motion vectors, testing of the geodynamical viability of plate tectonics on europa using appropriate europa conditions and material properties of ICE, and development of a new paradigm for the deformation of the ICE shell of europa by investigating existing large band-like strike-slip faults in a new platetectonics- like framework. These objectives will be accomplished through a combination of galileo solid state imager data analysis, GIS mapping, and detailed geodynamical modeling. The proposed work is highly relevant to the solar system workings program as we seek to investigate the coupled volcanic and tectonic surface evolution of possibly the most astrobiologically interesting body in the solar system, utilizing planetary analogs to compare the process of terrestrial plate tectonics with the movements of plates on an ICY body. The proposed work has significant implications for the evolution of ICY bodies in general, and for their habitability. Results of this work could be key in the planning of observations for the europa clipper mission.