This is a list of named geological features on Io, a moon of Jupiter. See also the list of mountains on Io 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 blacksmiths in various mythologies.
Catenae
On Io, catenae /k@tiːn@/ (crater chains, sg. catena) are named after sun gods in various mythologies. In 2006, the use of the term catena was discontinued in favor of the patera /paet@r@/ (plural paterae /paet@riː/). Below is a list of features that previously used the descriptor term catena.
| Catena | Named after |
|---|---|
| Mazda Paterae | Ahura Mazda (Zoroastrian) |
| Reshet Patera | Reshet (Aramaic) |
| Tvashtar Paterae | Tvashtri (Hindu) |
Fluctūs
Ionian fluctus /flVkt@s/ (areas of lava flow)[1] are named after fire and thunder gods in various mythologies, or after locations in Greek mythology associated with Io.
Mensae
Ionian mensae /mEnsiː/ (mesas, sg. mensa) are named after mythological figures associated with fire or with the nymph Io.
| Mensa | Named after |
|---|---|
| Capaneus Mensa | Capaneus (The Divine Comedy) |
| Echo Mensa | Echo (Greek) |
| Epaphus Mensa | Epaphus (Greek) |
| Hermes Mensa | Hermes (Greek) |
| Iynx Mensa | Iynx (Greek) |
| Pan Mensa | Pan (Greek) |
| Prometheus Mensa | Prometheus (Greek) |
| Telegonus Mensae | Telegonus, husband of Io (Greek) |
| Tvashtar Mensae | Tvashtar (Hindu) |
Montes
Ionian montes /mQntiːz/ (mountains and volcanos, sg. mons /mQnz/) are named after people and places associated with the nymph Io, and sun and fire gods in various other mythologies.
Paterae
Ionian paterae /paet@riː/ (shallow craters and crater chains) are named after sun gods and fire gods in various mythologies.
Plana
Ionian plana /plein@/ (plateaus, sg. planum /plein@m/) are named after locations in Greek mythology associated with the nymph Io.
| Planum | Named after |
|---|---|
| Argos Planum | Argos |
| Danube Planum | Danube River |
| Dodona Planum | Dodona |
| Ethiopia Planum | Ethiopia |
| Hybristes Planum | Hybristes |
| Iopolis Planum | Iopolis |
| Lyrcea Planum | Lyrcea |
| Nemea Planum | Nemea |
Regiones
Ionian regiones /rEdZiouniːz/ (regions, sg. regio /riːdZiou/) are mostly named after locations in Greek mythology associated with the nymph Io.
Tholi
Ionian tholi /Toulai/ (hills, sg. tholus /Toul@s/) are named after mythological figures associated with fire or with the nymph Io.
| Tholus | Named after | Coordinates |
|---|---|---|
| Apis Tholus | Apis (Greek) | 10.9°S 347.88°W |
| Inachus Tholus | Inachus (Greek) | 16.18°S 347.76°W |
| Tsui Goab Tholus | Tsui (Khoikhoi) | 0.1°S 163.0°W |
Notes and references
- ^ Latin sg. fluctus and pl. fluctūs are spelled and pronounced the same in English