Surface Deposition of Icy Dust Entrained in Europa’s Plumes

With its subsurface ocean, Europa raises intriguing possibilities about the potential for extraterrestrial life beneath its icy crust. Its unique surface features present a dynamic and complex geophysical landscape that offers valuable insights into its evolution. This study explores the plume dynamics and deposition of icy dust particles on Europa. Utilizing a Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) modeling of Europa's gaseous plumes, we use a hybrid model to understand dust dynamics entrained in the plumes. This approach allows us to consider various parameters such as production rate, initial velocity of gas and dust, and size distribution of dust particles, providing a comprehensive view of plume dynamics and highlighting their impact on Europa's surface characteristics. The results showing distinct plume morphologies and dust deposition patterns offer clues to our understanding of Europa's ongoing geological activity and subsurface ocean.