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From: karn@ka9q.bellcore.com (Phil Karn)
Newsgroups: sci.space
Subject: Re: Volcanism (from net.space)
Message-ID: <193@ka9q.bellcore.com>
Date: Wed, 5-Nov-86 15:42:21 EST
Article-I.D.: ka9q.193
Posted: Wed Nov  5 15:42:21 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 5-Nov-86 22:48:57 EST
References: <3400001@wdl1.UUCP>
Organization: Home for Burned-out Hackers
Lines: 15

> Can someone please explain what they meant by volcanism begin the
> result of radiation? Perhaps they meant in the form of heat from
> the core?

The primary heat source inside the earth is radioactive decay of elements
like uranium, thorium and potassium. This heat keeps much of the interior
of the earth in a molten state, and drives vulcanism, plate tectonics
and the like.

Io is probably different in that its heat source comes Jupiter's tidal
effects. The friction from the constant flexing of the moon by the planet
creates enough heat to drive Io's constantly erupting volcanoes. This is
the current theory, at least.

Phil