<p>They are called lineae. From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Europa's most striking surface features are a series of dark streaks crisscrossing the entire globe, called lineae (English: lines). The larger bands are more than 20 km (12 mi) across, often with dark, diffuse outer edges, regular striations, and a central band of lighter material.</p>
<p>The most likely hypothesis is that the lineae on Europa were produced by a series of eruptions of warm ice as Europa's crust slowly spreads open to expose warmer layers beneath. The effect would have been similar to that seen on Earth's oceanic ridges. These various fractures are thought to have been caused in large part by the tidal flexing exerted by Jupiter. Because Europa is tidally locked to Jupiter, and therefore always maintains approximately the same orientation towards Jupiter, the stress patterns should form a distinctive and predictable pattern</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Some also hypothesize that the lines are the salt from underground sea. See ref. 3 for more details.</p>
<p>More articles for viewing:</p>
<ol>
<li><a href="https://europa.nasa.gov/resources/88/dark-bands-on-europa" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://europa.nasa.gov/resources/88/dark-bands-on-europa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://sci.esa.int/web/juice/-/59915-blood-red-scars-and-veins-on-europa" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://sci.esa.int/web/juice/-/59915-blood-red-scars-and-veins-on-europa</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.space.com/29392-jupiter-moon-europa-salty-dark-streaks.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.space.com/29392-jupiter-moon-europa-salty-dark-streaks.html</a></li>
</ol>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-10-10T19:22:55.280Z
So the dark lines may be caused by salt being bombarded with radiation.
sno
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-10-10T05:51:11.820Z
2024-10-10T05:51:11.820Z
Nilay Ghosh
<p>Jupiter's moon Europa is crisscrossed by dark lines. If Europa's surface is made of ice what causes the lines dark color?</p>

<europa>
Why are the lines crisscrossing Europa dark colored
sno
# Why are the lines crisscrossing Europa dark colored

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-10-10)

Jupiter's moon Europa is crisscrossed by dark lines. If Europa's surface is made of ice what causes the lines dark color?

**Tags:** europa


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2024-10-10. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

They are called lineae. From [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europa_(moon)):

> Europa's most striking surface features are a series of dark streaks crisscrossing the entire globe, called lineae (English: lines). The larger bands are more than 20 km (12 mi) across, often with dark, diffuse outer edges, regular striations, and a central band of lighter material.
>
> The most likely hypothesis is that the lineae on Europa were produced by a series of eruptions of warm ice as Europa's crust slowly spreads open to expose warmer layers beneath. The effect would have been similar to that seen on Earth's oceanic ridges. These various fractures are thought to have been caused in large part by the tidal flexing exerted by Jupiter. Because Europa is tidally locked to Jupiter, and therefore always maintains approximately the same orientation towards Jupiter, the stress patterns should form a distinctive and predictable pattern

Some also hypothesize that the lines are the salt from underground sea. See ref. 3 for more details.

More articles for viewing:

1. <https://europa.nasa.gov/resources/88/dark-bands-on-europa>
2. <https://sci.esa.int/web/juice/-/59915-blood-red-scars-and-veins-on-europa>
3. <https://www.space.com/29392-jupiter-moon-europa-salty-dark-streaks.html>

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: So the dark lines may be caused by salt being bombarded with radiation.  

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