Statistical analysis of fragmentation of the Dark and Light Terrain on Ganymede and possible implications

Abstract

Ganymede, the largest moon in the solar system, has an icy crust that covers a large ocean underneath. Its surface is subdivided into Dark Terrain (DT) and Light Terrain (LT). The low-albedo DT forms about one-third of Ganymede´s surface and is roughly 4 Gya old (e.g., Schenk et al. 2004; Baby et al. 2023). The younger LT, that covers two-thirds of the surface, fills the gaps between DT and provides evidence of extension of the crust (Steinbrügge et al. 2025). Both DT and LT are fragmented. Resurfacing of Ganymede has been taken place by tectonic processes and cryovolcanism. Here we present a statistical analysis of fragmentation of the DT and LT that may shed light on the rheological properties, fragmentation mode and crustal thickness of Ganymede´s icy crust.