New research suggests that Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, might have a surprising method for bringing life-supporting chemicals to its hidden ocean. Scientists have always been curious about Europa for its potential to host life. Beneath its thick ice crust lies an ocean that could hold more salty water than all of Earth’s seas combined. However, this ocean lacks oxygen and sunlight, making photosynthesis impossible. Any life there would need to rely on chemical energy instead.
For years, one big question remained: how do ingredients created on Europa’s surface—by Jupiter’s powerful radiation—reach the ocean below? A team of researchers at Washington State University has offered a new idea: parts of Europa’s ice may slowly sink, transporting these essential chemicals down to the water.
Lead researcher Austin Green noted, “This idea is inspired by Earth science but provides a novel solution to a key problem in planetary science.” The team’s findings could be a significant sign for the potential of life in Europa’s depths.
Europa’s ice isn’t static. It’s geologically active, thanks to the gravitational forces exerted by Jupiter. But most movements occur sideways, not downward, restricting the flow of materials, except during major events like large cracks. The near-surface ice acts like a rigid barrier limiting the transport of oxidants to the ocean.
In their study, the researchers used computer models to simulate an ice shell about 18.6 miles (30 kilometers) thick. They found that patches of dense, salt-rich ice could eventually detach and drift down through the ice layer, reaching the ocean in as little as 30,000 years under some conditions.
This sinking process is akin to a phenomenon known as lithospheric foundering present on Earth, where layers of the Earth’s crust sink into the mantle. In a recent study, scientists even highlighted this process happening beneath the Sierra Nevada mountains, showcasing how geological movements can impact life on Earth.
The research pointed out that in their models, surface materials would begin to sink within one to three million years, with some scenarios allowing for quicker descent, especially in damaged ice areas. Interestingly, this mechanism applies to various levels of salt content, making it a feasible way to transport surface materials to Europa’s ocean.
In the near future, NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, set to launch in 2024, will take a closer look at Europa. The spacecraft is expected to arrive in April 2030 and will conduct nearly 50 flybys, helping scientists study the moon’s subsurface ocean and its habitability prospects in much greater detail.
The research findings are published in The Planetary Science Journal, marking a crucial step in unraveling the mysteries of Europa and its potential for life.
