NASA’s Juno spacecraft has measured heat beneath Io’s surface for the first time, giving researchers a new view of what is happening below the moon’s volcanic outer layer. The findings indicate that temperatures rise sharply within just a few feet of the surface.
That steep temperature increase suggests the heat is not limited to surface hot spots alone. Instead, the data point to energy moving through Io’s crust in a way that can now be observed more directly than before.
The results also support the idea that buried lava flows may exist under the surface. Hidden molten material or recently cooled lava layers could help explain why Io’s volcanic activity remains so intense and how heat is stored and released below ground.
Juno’s new measurements give scientists another way to study Io’s active geology. By tracking how temperatures change beneath the surface, researchers can build a clearer picture of how heat travels through the crust and drives ongoing volcanic processes.
