New volcano emerges on Jupiter's moon Io after 27‑year gap

Photos from the Juno probe show a new volcano on Io, a moon of Jupiter. The volcanic complex has developed over the last 27 years, which was noticed during satellite observations.

Io is one of Jupiter's largest moons and the most volcanically active place in the Solar System. A completely new volcano has formed there over the last 27 years, evidence of this.

In the late 1990s, Io was studied during NASA’s Galileo mission. Currently, Jupiter and its moons are being examined by the Juno probe. According to IFLScience.com, several photos were taken using the probe's camera and infrared sensors. By comparing the images from 27 years ago with the most recent ones, scientists saw that a new volcano had appeared on Io.

There are currently hundreds of active volcanoes on Io, and lava and volcanic deposits cover an area of approximately 32,000 square kilometres. However, the appearance of a new volcano remains intriguing.

In 2023 and 2024, the Juno probe made three flybys of Io, taking about 20 photos in the process. Over the 27 years, new lava streams and more surface deposits have appeared on the moon, which is not surprising. The formation of a new volcano east of the Kanehekili formation was unexpected. The new volcano has yet to receive its own name.

JunoCam has provided scientists with a range of precious images that are publicly accessible. Because of this, different scientists can participate in research based on the views captured by the Juno probe.

“JunoCam images are created by people from all walks of life, providing a way for anyone to join our science team and share in the excitement of space exploration,” said Scott Bolton, principal investigator of the Juno mission.