Europa’s Ice Shell Is Much Thicker Than We Thought, New Juno Data Show

A 2022 Juno flyby analysis estimates Europa’s ice shell in the observed region to be about 29 kilometers (18 miles) thick on average. If a warmer, convective inner layer exists, the total thickness could be greater; the presence of dissolved salt could reduce thickness by roughly 4.8 kilometers. Near-surface “scatterers” (cracks/pores) are likely small and not major pathways for exchange with the ocean. These findings help constrain how the subsurface ocean might connect to the surface and inform upcoming Europa Clipper and Juice missions in assessing the moon’s habitability.