Volcanic Plume Rises From Surface of Io

Jupiter's moon Io is the most volcanic place in the solar system.

Volcanologists studying the science of "super eruptions" can learn a lot from Io. The ongoing eruptions on Io are somewhat like "super volcano" eruptions that have happened in Earth's past — like the 15 million-year-old Columbia River Flood Basalts in the Pacific Northwest, or the more recent (640,000-year-old) Yellowstone eruptions — only more extreme.

The reason for Io's endless eruptions is simple: Jupiter and the other jovian satellites won't let it rest. Io orbits closest to Jupiter and feels the tug of the outer satellites as well. Their vying gravities are constantly kneading the moon-sized world with tidal forces, keeping its innards roiling and hot.