Groundbased Observations Show New Eruption on Io

February 22, 2000

Glenn Orten of the IRTF and Bob Howell of the WIRO have discovered a new volcanic erutption on Io. The eruption was seen in images taken from Earth on Februaru 20 and 22.   The eruption has been labeled 0002A and is believed to have occured at 60N, 60W.   This would put it in the field of view of one of the images taken by Galileo today.   However, since the position has a good size margin of error, it is also possible that Galileo missed it.  The eruption magnitude is believed to be about 200, though due to the northern location of the eruption, it may be higher.  For comparison, the eruption at Tawhaki Patera had a magniude of 2000 and a typical Loki eruption has a magnitude of 60.

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