This is a list of named geological features on Io, a moon of

Jupiter Jupiter is the fifth planet from the Sun and the List of Solar System objects by size, largest in the Solar System. It is a gas giant with a Jupiter mass, mass more than 2.5 times that of all the other planets in the Solar System combined a ...

. See also the

list of mountains on Io More than 135 mountains of Io, mountains have been identified on the surface of Jupiter's moon Io (moon), Io. Despite the extensive active volcano, volcanism taking place on Io, most mountains on Io are formed through tectonic processes. These ...

and the list of paterae on Io.

Eruptive Centers

Eruptive centers on Io, locations typically where major volcanic activity was observed and characterized before the volcanic landform was, are named after the gods of volcanoes, lightning, and/or

blacksmith A blacksmith is a metalsmith who creates objects primarily from wrought iron or steel, but sometimes from #Other metals, other metals, by forging the metal, using tools to hammer, bend, and cut (cf. tinsmith). Blacksmiths produce objects such ...

s in various mythologies.

Catenae

On Io, catenae (crater chains, sg. ''catena'') are named after sun gods in various

mythologies Myth is a genre of folklore consisting primarily of narratives that play a fundamental role in a society. For scholars, this is very different from the vernacular usage of the term "myth" that refers to a belief that is not true. Instead, the ...

. In 2006, the use of the term ''catena'' was discontinued in favor of the ''

patera In the material culture of classical antiquity, a ''patera'' () or ''phiale'' ( ) is a shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl. It often has a bulbous indentation ('' omphalos'', "belly button") in the center underside to facilitate holding it, ...

'' (plural ''paterae'' ). Below is a list of features that previously used the descriptor term ''catena''.

Fluctūs

Ionian fluctus (areas of

lava Lava is molten or partially molten rock (magma) that has been expelled from the interior of a terrestrial planet (such as Earth) or a Natural satellite, moon onto its surface. Lava may be erupted at a volcano or through a Fissure vent, fractu ...

flow)Latin sg. ''fluctus'' and pl. ''fluctūs'' are spelled and pronounced the same in English are named after fire and thunder gods in various mythologies, or after locations in

Greek mythology Greek mythology is the body of myths originally told by the Ancient Greece, ancient Greeks, and a genre of ancient Greek folklore, today absorbed alongside Roman mythology into the broader designation of classical mythology. These stories conc ...

associated with Io.

Mensae

Ionian mensae (mesas, sg. ''mensa'') are named after mythological figures associated with fire or with the nymph Io.

Montes

Ionian montes (mountains and volcanos, sg. ''mons'' ) are named after people and places associated with the nymph Io, and sun and fire gods in various other mythologies.

Paterae

Ionian

e (shallow craters and crater chains) are named after sun gods and fire gods in various mythologies.

Plana

Ionian plana (plateaus, sg. ''planum'' ) are named after locations in

associated with the nymph Io.

Regiones

Ionian regiones (regions, sg. ''regio'' ) are mostly named after locations in

associated with the nymph Io.

Tholi

Ionian tholi (hills, sg. ''tholus'' ) are named after mythological figures associated with fire or with the nymph Io.

Notes and references

External links

USGS: Io nomenclature
{{Surface features of space objects *