Abstract
Magmatic segregation and volcanic eruptions transport tidal heat from
Io’s interior toits surface. Several observed eruptions appear to be
extremely high temperature (≥1600 K),suggesting either very high degrees
of melting, refractory source regions, or large amountsof viscous
heating on ascent. To address this ambiguity, we develop a model that
cou-ples crust and mantle dynamics to a simple compositional system. We
analyse the modelto investigate chemical structure and evolution. We
demonstrate that magmatic segre-gation and volcanic eruptions lead to
differentiation of the mantle, the extent of whichdepends on how easily
high temperature melts from the more refractory lower mantlecan migrate
upwards. We propose that Io’s highest temperature eruptions originate
fromthis lower mantle region, and that such eruptions act to limit the
degree of compositionaldifferentiation.