Solar System Volcanoes: From Earth's Fire to Icy Moon Plumes

Key Quotes

"I started out as a geologist because I was fascinated by volcanoes and I'm just wondering how do you if if you're a geologist at all how could you not be fascinated by volcanoes because that reshapes your planet right so well exactly exactly I I think the thing for me was that I didn't even really know what geology was when I was at school because you don't really do it as a core subject"

Natalie Starkey explains that her initial fascination with volcanoes, which led her to study geology, stemmed from their planet-reshaping power. She notes that geology is not a common core subject in schools, implying that many may not discover this field of study. Starkey highlights that the inherent power of volcanoes is what initially captured her scientific curiosity.

"but then suddenly I'm combining all of these expertise and so it kind of led on after my first book which was about comets and asteroids and I wrote all about those first then I was like hold on I'm gonna combine this all and write about volcanoes and space because it just seemed like the natural thing to do"

Natalie Starkey describes how her expertise evolved from studying Earth's geology and volcanoes to incorporating space science. She explains that after writing a book on comets and asteroids, she realized she could combine her knowledge of volcanoes with her newfound interest in space. Starkey views this integration as a natural progression of her scientific inquiry.

"Most of the bodies out there are actually ice volcanoes so these are these are active places wait wait wait wait wait you're speaking like okay yeah most of the volcanoes in the solar system yeah yeah this is cool like do people even know we have volcanoes other places than earth"

Natalie Starkey introduces the concept of "ice volcanoes" or cryovolcanoes, which are prevalent in the outer solar system. She expresses surprise that this might be a novel idea to many, suggesting that the common perception of volcanoes is limited to Earth. Starkey emphasizes that these icy bodies are indeed active geological sites.

"So basically when we talk about magma or lava on for example Pluto let's take Pluto because that's a great example um it's not rocky the stuff that Pluto is made of it's all ice so when we talk about Pluto's magma it's basically just the molten version of whatever it's made of its bedrock is water ice and ammonia and methane and nitrogen"

Natalie Starkey clarifies that the concept of magma and lava applies to icy bodies as well, using Pluto as an example. She explains that on Pluto, the "magma" is composed of molten ice, ammonia, methane, and nitrogen, rather than molten rock. Starkey emphasizes that the composition of volcanic material varies depending on the celestial body.

"And that's exactly what happened with Olympus Mons cool which is the largest volcanic mountain in the solar system I think I think it's the largest mountain isn't it yeah okay good good"

Neil deGrasse Tyson confirms that Olympus Mons on Mars is the largest volcanic mountain in the solar system. He agrees with the assessment that it is the largest mountain overall. Tyson's interjection highlights the immense scale of this Martian geological feature.

"So the volcanoes are basically just a manifestation of a planet cooling itself down so it has all this internal heat and it needs to go somewhere and volcanoes let that heat escape into space which means we are cooling down we we are cooling down"

Natalie Starkey explains that volcanoes serve as a mechanism for planets to release internal heat as they cool down over time. She states that this process is a direct consequence of a planet's internal heat escaping into space. Starkey clarifies that volcanic activity is a sign of a planet's ongoing cooling process.