Sep 10, 2019
This is a computer animation of cryovolcanism of Triton, the largest moon of Neptune. These icy geysers were observed by the Voyager 2 spacecraft - or rather, the spacecraft photographed the long stains that these features left on the landscape. It is thought that solar heating vaporises nitrogen below a translucent surface, until the pressure builds up enough to force an eruption. The gas picks up dust and other material, making the plumes visible. They reach a height of some eight kilometres above the surface of Triton, whereupon they are caught up in high-altitude winds and blown sideways. (source)
