Vulcanism on Io

[JC (Julian)]

Just wondering if anyone knows whether vulcanism on Io is restricted to the side facing Jupiter, or whether its evident all over the moon..
Thanks... Julian

[Kevnool (Kev)]

My answer which could be wrong is that volcanism should be widespread as there are tektonics at work which means there are hot spots and subduction zones as well.
But i,m no geo.

Cheers Kev.

[JC (Julian)]

Thanks Kev;
From photos and gifs it always seems to be happening on the one side, I thought maybe it might be due to Jupiter's tidal force and because Io is tidally locked but vulcanism occurring all over Io would make more sense I suppose..
Ive read up on a few articles and I think if it did only occur only on the one face that would warrant a mention.
Cheers

[Merlin66 (Ken)]

You can actually monitor the volcanic activity with a spectroscope!
The sodium emission lines and the surrounding "cloud" have been well recorded.