Mineral Diversity on Europa: Exploration of Phases Formed in the MgSO4–H2SO4–H2O Ternary

There is increasing evidence that the surface materials on Europa are influenced by endogenic and exogenic processes and chemistry. To explore how this may drive the diversity of resultant minerals on the surface of Europa, this study has explored a number of samples within the MgSO4–H2SO4–H2O ternary with synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction across a large temperature range (100–300 K). The crystalline phase composition of these samples has been charted, and four new crystalline phases have been identified. The structure of one of these is presented, along with discussion of the possible contents of two of the other phases. Overall this study demonstrates that the interaction between exogenic and endogenic processes has the possibility to drive greater mineral diversity on Europa, as well as its neighboring icy moons.