GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -This atmosphere most likely originates from Triton’s volcanic activity, which is driven by seasonal heating by the Sun. Triton, Io and Venus are the only bodies in the solar system besides Earth that are known to be volcanically active at the present time.

Detailed explanation-2: -Right now, active volcanoes are only found on two of these bodies: Earth and Io. However, volcanoes could be erupting on Venus or Jupiter’s moon, Europa. We are unable to see if they are due to Venus’s thick atmosphere and Europa’s thick ice shell.

Detailed explanation-3: -Based upon observations from Earth and from space vehicles, only four bodies in the solar system have confirmed volcanic activity. These are 1) Earth; 2) Io, a moon of Jupiter; 3) Triton, a moon of Neptune; and, 4) Enceladus, a moon of Saturn.

Detailed explanation-4: -Active volcanoes occur on planets that are still hot. In general, the larger the planet, the slower it cools. Small planets or moons, like Mercury and our Moon, have cooled to the point that they are no longer hot enough to melt rock. Larger planets, like Earth and Venus, are still hot and still have active volcanism.

Detailed explanation-5: -However, volcanic activity isn’t limited to our planet and space volcanoes are often found on other planets and moons. Within our solar system, the moon and Mars are rich with evidence of volcanoes and fiery volcanic activity, while other bodies possess volcanoes that spew ice from their frozen vistas.