Planet JupiterTectonic PatternsReturn to Jupiter |
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On Ganymede, complex tectonic patterns have formed on the icy crust. Two explanations for their creation have been offered. First, these patterns are produced by tectonic forces that squeeze and wrinkle the surface. These patterns resemble dikes on Earth so that a second possibility is that these patterns might have formed when liquid water rose through the closely spaced faults near the surface and froze. The area shown is about 100 km (62 mi) on a side.
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