Large-scale doming on Europa: A model of formation of Thera Macula

Since Galileo spacecraft reveals Europa's surface at high and medium resolutions, deformation and processes affecting the relatively young surface have been more accurately defined. This work reports the observations carried out on a large-scale feature of the south hemisphere, Thera Macula. It is shown that Thera presents common points with many other features including small-scale domes, lenticulae and large-scale chaotic areas (disrupted ancient surfaces lying on a dark matrix), but remains singular through its asymmetric morphology. On the basis of observations, we propose a scenario for the setting of Thera Macula. It involves a large-scale doming (40–70 km in radius) of the pre-existing surface associated with ductile deformations, and the consecutive collapse of the created megadome associated with brittle disruption of blocks and flow of low viscosity material over the surrounding ridged plains. The processes responsible for each stage of the proposed scenario have been investigated. Both cryomagmatic and diapiric origins are discussed and confronted by observations. Finally, comparison of similar features at various scales suggests that Thera Macula by its originalities (asymmetry, rounding bulge) may have preserved the intermediate stages of the formation of subcircular chaos at least up to about 50 km in radius. A common evolution and endogenic origin for multi-scale hot spot features is proposed: (1) the doming stage, (2) the collapse and extrusion stage and (3) the relaxation stage.