Research using isotopic analysis of Io’s atmosphere suggests the moon has been volcanically active since the Solar System’s formation, influenced by tidal forces from
Geological Insights From Isotopic Measurements
However, how long Io has hosted such extensive volcanism isn’t fully understood. Due to the moon’s current level of volcanic activity, the surface of Io is constantly being reworked, leaving a geological record of only the most recent million years of its history. Stable isotopic measurements of volatile elements in Io’s atmosphere could provide information on the history of volcanism on Io.
Katherine de Kleer and colleagues used the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (