<p>Here is a <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.10904" rel="nofollow noreferrer">recent preprint</a> about a possible super cryovolcano on Pluto. In this study, Cruikshank et al. analyzed the morphology and composition of Kiladze, a wide (~44 km in diameter) depression at Pluto's surface. Based on its morphology and the nature of the deposits surrounding it, the authors conclude that the structure is not an impact crater but rather a caldera which would have erupted almost 1000 km<sup>3</sup> of water-ice cryomagma:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In consideration of the size, structure, composition, and youth of Kiladze and surroundings, we interpret this region as a super cryovolcano with a resurgent caldera, having a history of one or more eruptions ejecting 103 km<sup>3</sup> of cryolava, and possibly an unknown number of eruptions of smaller scale.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora ejected about 175 km<sup>3</sup> of material. Volcanologists usually speak in terms of volume of ejected material, which is used to define the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_explosivity_index" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Volcanic Explosivity Index</a> (VEI) scale, rather than in terms of energy released. Both the Tambora and the proposed Kiladze eruption are classified VEI-7, the former in the lower end, the later in the upper, so I would argue that these events have been similar in terms of energy released. For more details about volume to energy conversion, see <a href="https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/a/15887/18081">this answer</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/6gQCz.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/6gQCz.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a>
<em>(a, b) 2D visualization of digital elevation model (DEM) and a triangulated irregular network (TIN) contour map at Kiladze area and surroundings. (c, d) 3D visualization of base map and triangulated irregular network (TIN) map at Kiladze area and surrounding. CC BY Cruikshank et al. (2023).</em></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-13T07:56:29.650Z
+n! Different but related in Astronomy SE: [Is there an established distinction between a geyser and a cryovolcano in solar system bodies?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/19943/7982) and [Enceladus; why use the words "geysers", "jets", and "plumes" interchangeably?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/19939/7982) and [How can "Geysers" on Europa reach heights of 100km?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/18496/7982)
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-13T08:00:52.237Z
and here in Earthscience: [Why exactly is the feature on Io called a volcano, and the feature on Enceladus called a geyser?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/15436/6031) and [Why exactly is the feature on Io called a volcano, and the feature on Enceladus called a geyser?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/15436/6031) *and especially:* [Is the momentum of a volcano's high-velocity ejecta mostly due to expanding gas?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/9593/6031) "The ejecta and their momentum appear to be entirely the product of the dissolved gasses in magma..."
uhoh
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-01-08T15:55:38.530Z
2024-01-08T15:55:38.530Z
Jean-Marie Prival
<p>The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history was the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, an explosion equivalent to <a href="https://www.wired.com/2015/04/tambora-1815-just-big-eruption/" rel="noreferrer">33 billion tons of TNT</a>.</p>

<p>Is there any way a cryovolcanic eruption could be as large as this? I couldn't find a source on how powerful a typical eruption is, but based on the low temperatures, I can guess that they're small. However, in a hypothetical moon where there is much stronger tidal friction than we see in the Solar System, I think the eruptions can become much larger.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-14T01:31:04.917Z
Hello, and welcome to Stack Exchange. Very interesting question! I'm no pro, but I'm betting the answer depends on the materials' strength, and on the energies/pressures involved, both of which I believe would be limited in cryovolcanoes.
Daniel Griscom
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-14T22:46:11.187Z
Do you mean an eruption of a volcano on earth, under ice, or an eruption of all kinds of liquids and ices such as found in moons in the outer solar system?
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-14T23:49:36.450Z
The latter one.
StarlightDown
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-20T17:31:30.237Z
As a layman, I would think that the "power" of a volcano would depend on how much pressure could build up before the "break-thru" eruption (kind of like a static friction value). My intuition is that water molecules could more easily escape and thus eruptions would be more like large "Old Faithfuls" than "Kilaueas".
Jack R. Woods
<volcanology><planetary-science><volcanic-eruption><planetology>
Can a cryovolcanic eruption be as powerful as a normal volcanic eruption?
StarlightDown
# Can a cryovolcanic eruption be as powerful as a normal volcanic eruption?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-05-13)

The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history was the 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora, an explosion equivalent to [33 billion tons of TNT](https://www.wired.com/2015/04/tambora-1815-just-big-eruption/).

Is there any way a cryovolcanic eruption could be as large as this? I couldn't find a source on how powerful a typical eruption is, but based on the low temperatures, I can guess that they're small. However, in a hypothetical moon where there is much stronger tidal friction than we see in the Solar System, I think the eruptions can become much larger.

**Tags:** volcanology, planetary-science, volcanic-eruption, planetology

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Hello, and welcome to Stack Exchange. Very interesting question! I'm no pro, but I'm betting the answer depends on the materials' strength, and on the energies/pressures involved, both of which I believe would be limited in cryovolcanoes.  
> **username_2**: Do you mean an eruption of a volcano on earth, under ice, or an eruption of all kinds of liquids and ices such as found in moons in the outer solar system?  
> **username_0**: The latter one.  
> **username_3**: As a layman, I would think that the "power" of a volcano would depend on how much pressure could build up before the "break-thru" eruption (kind of like a static friction value). My intuition is that water molecules could more easily escape and thus eruptions would be more like large "Old Faithfuls" than "Kilaueas".  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2024-01-08. Score: 3

Here is a [recent preprint](https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.10904) about a possible super cryovolcano on Pluto. In this study, Cruikshank et al. analyzed the morphology and composition of Kiladze, a wide (~44 km in diameter) depression at Pluto's surface. Based on its morphology and the nature of the deposits surrounding it, the authors conclude that the structure is not an impact crater but rather a caldera which would have erupted almost 1000 km3 of water-ice cryomagma:

> In consideration of the size, structure, composition, and youth of Kiladze and surroundings, we interpret this region as a super cryovolcano with a resurgent caldera, having a history of one or more eruptions ejecting 103 km3 of cryolava, and possibly an unknown number of eruptions of smaller scale.

The 1815 eruption of Mount Tambora ejected about 175 km3 of material. Volcanologists usually speak in terms of volume of ejected material, which is used to define the [Volcanic Explosivity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanic_explosivity_index) (VEI) scale, rather than in terms of energy released. Both the Tambora and the proposed Kiladze eruption are classified VEI-7, the former in the lower end, the later in the upper, so I would argue that these events have been similar in terms of energy released. For more details about volume to energy conversion, see [this answer](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/a/15887/18081).

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/6gQCz.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/6gQCz.jpg)
*(a, b) 2D visualization of digital elevation model (DEM) and a triangulated irregular network (TIN) contour map at Kiladze area and surroundings. (c, d) 3D visualization of base map and triangulated irregular network (TIN) map at Kiladze area and surrounding. CC BY Cruikshank et al. (2023).*

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: +n! Different but related in Astronomy SE: [Is there an established distinction between a geyser and a cryovolcano in solar system bodies?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/19943/7982) and [Enceladus; why use the words "geysers", "jets", and "plumes" interchangeably?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/19939/7982) and [How can "Geysers" on Europa reach heights of 100km?](https://astronomy.stackexchange.com/q/18496/7982)  
> **username_5**: and here in Earthscience: [Why exactly is the feature on Io called a volcano, and the feature on Enceladus called a geyser?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/15436/6031) and [Why exactly is the feature on Io called a volcano, and the feature on Enceladus called a geyser?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/15436/6031) *and especially:* [Is the momentum of a volcano's high-velocity ejecta mostly due to expanding gas?](https://earthscience.stackexchange.com/q/9593/6031) "The ejecta and their momentum appear to be entirely the product of the dissolved gasses in magma..."  

---

