Question: Why do fans originate from linear dark features?
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by Portyankina scientist
Answer: You are looking at the area completely covered by CO2 ice. In spring, when jets are about to erupt this ice layer is subject to high amount of stress under which it finally fractures by forming long, often linear, cracks. Pressured CO2 from underneath the ice layer finds these cracks and escapes through them. If it brings along some dust, it creates the fans that we observe here.
Anya
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