Jupiter’s moon Io is the fourth largest moon in our solar system and has at least 400 active volcanoes. The gravitational pull of Jupiter forces Io toward the planet, while three small moons pull Io in the opposite direction. This constant gravitational tug-of-war creates stretching and pulling inside the moon which generates intense heat in Io’s interior, leading to volcanic activity on the moon’s surface.
Io’s volcanism is responsible for many of the moon’s unique characteristics, including geyser-like features called “plume eruptions.” Since no water is known to exist on Io, these eruptions likely emit sulfur and sulfur dioxide gas.
Jupiter’s moon Io is the fourth largest moon in our solar system and has at least 400 active volcanoes. The gravitational pull of Jupiter forces Io toward the planet, while three small moons pull Io in the opposite direction. This constant gravitational tug-of-war creates stretching and pulling inside the moon which generates intense heat in Io’s interior, leading to volcanic activity on the moon’s surface.
Io’s volcanism is responsible for many of the moon’s unique characteristics, including geyser-like features called “plume eruptions.” Since no water is known to exist on Io, these eruptions likely emit sulfur and sulfur dioxide gas. 
