Non-Synchronous Rotation on Europa Driven by Ocean Currents

It has been suggested that the ice shell of Jupiter's moon Europa may drift non-synchronously due to tidal torques. Here we argue that torques applied by the underlying ocean are also important and can result in non-synchronous rotation. The resulting spin rate can be slightly slower than the synchronous angular rate that would have kept the same point of the ice shell facing Jupiter. We develop an ice shell rotation model, driven by ocean stress calculated using a high-resolution state-of-the-art ocean general circulation model, and take into account the viscoelastic deformation of the ice shell. We use the ice shell model results together with observed limits on the ice shell drift speed to constrain ice shell parameters such as effective viscosity, which is currently uncertain by at least four orders of magnitude. Our results suggest, at best, sluggish ice shell convection. Depending on the relaxation time scale of the ice shell and on the ocean currents, the ice shell may exhibit negligible drift, constant drift, or oscillatory drift superimposed on random fluctuations. The expected rotation rate exceeds similar to 30 m/yr; future spacecraft observations can be used to test these predictions and yield insight into the properties of the ice shell and underlying ocean.

Automated summary

It is suggested that the ice shell of Jupiter's moon Europa can drift non-synchronously due to tidal torques, but our study argues that torques from the underlying ocean are also influential and can cause non-synchronous rotation. We developed an ice shell rotation model considering ocean stress and viscoelastic deformation of the ice shell. Our results indicate sluggish ice shell convection and the possibility of negligible drift or oscillatory drift. Future spacecraft observations can test these predictions and provide insights into the properties of the ice shell and underlying ocean.