sunset_kauai (c) Bridget Smith-Konter

Strike-slip faulting on Enceladus

Our research group, along with colleagues at JPL, studies the failure tendencies of major strike-slip structures inferred on the surface of Saturnʻs geologically active moon, Enceladus. This research is focused on understanding shear failure of Enceladusʻs Tiger Stripes, driven by tidally induced stresses that are exerted on Enceladus during its daily orbital cycle around Saturn. We integrate global tidal stress models with 3-D crustal deformation models to investigate shear failure and geologic activity inferred on the surface of Enceladus.

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Related Publications:

  • Olgin, J., B. Smith-Konter, and R.L. Pappalardo, The limits of Enceladus?s ice shell thickness from tidally driven tiger stripe failure, Geophys. Res. Lett., 38, doi:10.1029/2010GL044950.
  • Smith-Konter, B. and R.L. Pappalardo (2008), Tidally driven stress accumulation and shear failure of Enceladus's tiger stripes, Icarus, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2008.07.005.