Result: Numerical Modeling of Tidally Driven Fractures Interacting With Meltwater Lenses on the Surface of Europa.

Europa, one of Jupiter's Galilean satellites, presents a complex surface characterized by extensive networks of large‐scale lineae, along with smaller‐scale fracture patterns and regions of chaos terrain. In this study, a three‐dimensional finite element model is employed to investigate the processes governing the propagation of fractures within the moon's outer ice shell and their interaction with subsurface meltwater lenses. Fractures are represented as dynamic, growing features, with their evolution controlled by local stress conditions; the driving tidal stresses are determined using a closed‐form analytical model of satellite tidal forcing. Particular emphasis is placed on examining how fracture development varies across different longitudes at a latitude of 30° ${}^{\circ}$ North, where tidal stresses and surface features are especially pronounced. By systematically modeling fracture evolution in the presence of meltwater lenses, the study assesses their potential to catalyze the formation of chaos terrain. The results demonstrate a clear dependence on longitude, with the most significant fracture‐lens interactions occurring near the subjovian point (0° ${}^{\circ}$), 90° ${}^{\circ}$E, 180° ${}^{\circ}$E, and 270° ${}^{\circ}$E−locations associated with a high gradient in the stress field. The presence of a subsurface lens is found to enhance local fracturing in a manner consistent with the proposed hypothesis for chaos terrain generation. Plain Language Summary: Europa is the fourth largest moon of Jupiter, and it is encased within an ice crust up to 30 km thick. Between the rock and ice is believed to be a liquid water ocean approximately 100 km deep. This ocean is one of the prime candidates for possible extraterrestrial life within the solar system, and therefore the ocean and Europa as a whole are of great interest to the scientific community. The outer surface of the ice also shows a number of linear features called lineae, believed to be either fractures or former fractures, as well as rugged and broken up areas called chaos. These fractures and their behavior, especially in the context of chaos, are the focus of research for this work. The work consists of calculating tidal stresses imparted on Europa by Jupiter using a satellite stress model, and then using these stresses to drive fracture behavior within the ice crust, modeled using a numerical simulator. Some simulations also contain a subsurface meltwater lens. The results from the simulations are analyzed in the context of how fracturing and lineae in the vicinity of a subsurface meltwater lens behave. The results indicate that subsurfaces lenses may contribute to the formation of chaos terrain. Key Points: Three‐dimensional simulations of the Europan surface systematically quantify fracturing with varying location, orientation, and latitudeThe growth of fractures is quantified for homogeneous domains and for domains that contain subsurface meltwater lensesSubsurface meltwater lenses create mechanical conditions leading to fracture and fragmentation, conducive to chaos terrain formation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Geophysical Research. Planets is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)