A new study suggests that oceans hidden deep within the solar system’s small icy moons could, under certain conditions, begin to “boil,” but at very low temperatures.
Scientists say that when the icy layers of such moons melt from below, the pressure acting on the ocean decreases. On small bodies like Mimas and Miranda, the pressure drop can reach a point where ice, water, and steam coexist, causing low-temperature boiling.
However, this phenomenon does not threaten the existence of possible life, since the boiling layers are only in the upper part, and conditions below them remain stable. The study also suggests that the gases released during these processes could create unique ice structures that will help further understand the nature of these secret oceans.
