Tiger stripes (Enceladus)

Tiger stripes are a series of prominent, roughly parallel, and geologically active surface fractures located near the south pole of Saturn's moon Enceladus. These fissures are a major source of material for Saturn's E-ring, ejecting water ice particles, gas, and organic compounds into space. The four major tiger stripes are named Alexandria Sulcus, Cairo Sulcus, Baghdad Sulcus, and Damascus Sulcus.

The tiger stripes are significantly warmer than the surrounding terrain, indicating a source of internal heat. This heat is thought to be generated by tidal forces exerted by Saturn, which flex and stress Enceladus' interior, leading to frictional heating. The precise mechanism for generating and maintaining the tiger stripes and their sustained activity is still under scientific investigation, but current models suggest a complex interplay of tidal stresses, internal ocean dynamics, and the properties of Enceladus' icy shell.

Cryovolcanism, the eruption of water and other volatile materials instead of molten rock, is readily apparent at the tiger stripes. Plumes of water vapor and ice particles erupt from these fissures at high speeds, contributing to the E-ring and providing evidence for a subsurface liquid water ocean beneath Enceladus' icy shell. Analysis of the plume composition has revealed the presence of salts, ammonia, and organic molecules, further supporting the existence of a potentially habitable environment within Enceladus' interior. The discovery of the tiger stripes and their cryovolcanic activity has made Enceladus a prime target for future exploration in the search for extraterrestrial life.