Io was found to have at least 12 active volcanoes erupting lava at temperatures over 1200 degrees Celsius . Scientists believe that lava at one of the sites reaches a temperature of over 1700 degrees Celsius. This temperature is approximately 3 times the hottest surface temperature on Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun. Two of Jupiter's satellites, Europa and Ganymede, pull Io into an elliptical orbit around Jupiter. Differences in the strength of Jupiter's gravitational pull as the distance between the planet and Io varies causes slight changes in Io's shape.
Scientists believe that Io heats up internally when it changes shape.
Io releases this inner heat in volcanic eruptions. Show me the Level 1 version of this page. Show me a printable version of this page.