modeling the heat transfer modes in Enceladus' icy shell that rests above its liquid water ocean. previous modeling has assumed that all heat transfer is conductive, but using dynamical simulations i've shown that under certain conditions convection can occur at in the shell. specifically, these conditions are having a thick enough ice shell, the right amount of porous fluffy ice deposited from the plumes at Enceladus' south pole which jet water into space through fissures in the crust, and the right thermal conductivity of this porous layer.
now i'm starting on adjusting the model to include the liquid water ocean underneath the shell and observe the effect of changing viscosity gradients in the equilibration of the ocean and ice shell, as well as adding in compositional impurities (chloride brines) and tidal heating effects.
now i'm starting on adjusting the model to include the liquid water ocean underneath the shell and observe the effect of changing viscosity gradients in the equilibration of the ocean and ice shell, as well as adding in compositional impurities (chloride brines) and tidal heating effects.