1. An icy surface
2.An underground ocean
3.Active volcanoes
4.An atmosphere
2006-11-13 12:25:50 · 3 answers · asked by Marty L 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Depending on how you define volcano, all of the first 3. We know the surface is largely water ice, and is very young (low crater counts imply it is constantly being resurfaced so there are likely "volcanos" of water or water slush.) There is some sort of liquid or semi-liquid slush beneath the icy surface to supply the resurfacing process, plus its magnetic field is best explained by a dynamo effect involving convection of salty water.
2006-11-13 16:31:03 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Quark 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Earth has life at the bottom of its oceans where there is no sunlight, living off geothermal vents.
If there is liquid water on Europa with such a stable geothermal vent, there is only one final thing the moon will need to support simple life forms: amino acids. A planet needs a balanced atmosphere like Earth's to form amino acids, and Europa's is far too thin and tenuous.
2006-11-14 10:56:24 · answer #2 · answered by Ellis26 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
#2, Underground water and possible basic life forms.
2006-11-13 12:34:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋