%0 Journal Article
%A Ruiz Pérez, Javier
%T Heat flow and depth to a possible internal ocean on Triton
%D 2003
%@ 1054-1381
%U https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/56774
%X The Raz Fossae, a pair of ≈ 15-km wide trough en echelon interpreted as grabens, can be used to propose an estimation of the depth to the brittle–ductiletransition on Triton. This estimation may in turn give an idea of the thermal state of Triton’s icy lithosphere when these features formed. Given the young ageof its surface, the conclusions obtained could be roughly applicable to the present state of this satellite of Neptune. Considering water or ammonia dihydrate aspossible components of the lithosphere and a feasible range of strain rates, it was estimated that surface heat flow is greater than that inferred from radiogenicheating, especially for a lithosphere dominated by water. Also, an internal ocean could lie at a depth of only ∼ 20 km beneath the surface. The presence overthe surface of an insulating layer of ice of low thermal conductivity (e.g., nitrogen) or of regolith would only substantially alter these estimates if the effectivesurface temperature were considerably higher than the observed value of 38 K.
%~