August 01, 2024
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, have discovered that the shorelines of the seas and lakes on Saturn’s largest moon, called Titan, could have acquired their shape due to erosion caused by waves. Titan has huge water bodies such as lakes, rivers and seas that contain liquid ethane and methane. Researchers used simulations to study Titan’s coastlines. For their study, they modelled the manner in which lake erosion takes place on Earth. They then utilised these models to study the mechanism that has been eroding the coastlines of Titan’s water bodies. The study found that strong wave activity could have given the shorelines of Titan’s water bodies their shape. However, researchers can not confirm their theory until they directly observe the wave activity.
DID YOU KNOW?
Saturn has a total of 146 satellites as of 2023.
Image Source: mit.edu
