Highest resolution image of Thomagata Patera, taken by theGalileo spacecraft in October 2001 with color from July 1999
Thomagata Patera is avolcano onJupiter'smoonIo. It is located on Io's anti-Jupiter hemisphere at25°40′N165°56′W / 25.67°N 165.94°W /25.67; -165.94[1], to the east of the nearby active volcanoesVolund andZamama. Thomagata is a kidney-shapedIonian patera, a type of volcanic crater similar to acaldera, 56 kilometers (35 mi) long, 26 km (16 mi) wide, and 1.2–1.6 km (0.7–1.0 mi) deep.[2] The volcano is currently inactive as a thermal hotspot has never been observed at Thomagata and the bright floor of the patera suggests that it is cold enough forsulfur dioxide andsulfur to condense.[3] Thomagata is located near the center of a low, 100 km (62 mi) wide mesa. The edge of the mesa rises 200 meters (660 ft) above the surrounding plains, however the slope up to the edge of Thomagata Patera is unknown. If the floor of the patera is at the same level as the surrounding plains, the western slope of the mesa would have agrade of 2°.[2] The morphology of this mesa and the pattern of faded lava flows along its slopes radiating away from Thomagata (at least on its eastern side) suggest that Thomagata Patera and the mesa that surrounds it may be ashield volcano, also called atholus on Io.[3] The irregular margin of the mesa and the lack of debris at the base of itsbasal scarp suggest that it was modified by sulfur dioxidesapping.[3]
Following detailed observations of the volcano by theGalileo spacecraft in October 2001, Thomagata Paterawas named in 2006 by theInternational Astronomical Union (IAU) after themythicalcacique of theMuisca,Thomagata.[1] According to the IAU, the mythical Thomagata was "a terrifying fire spirit who flew through the air changing men into animals."[1]
