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Scientists just recorded a huge eruption on one of Jupiter’s moons

What else can we expect from Io?

Portrait of Io showing its craters and volcanoes. Taken during the Voyager mission
NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

NASA/JPL/University of Arizona

While Jupiter’s moon Europa is suspected to host a hidden ocean — boosting the possibility of alien lifeforms — its sibling Io has a reputation for being a lot more destructive.

NASA/JPL/DLR

Hundreds of volcanoes continuously erupt over Io’s surface, thanks to the gravitational tug-of-war between Jupiter and its other moons.

Some blasts are so powerful that they can be seen from telescopes on Earth.

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