Magnetospheric ion sputtering: The case of Europa and its surface age Original Research Article

Recent estimates of the ion sputtering rates at Europaʹs surface are reviewed. The atmospheric mass loss rate may range between 13.7 kg s−1 and 137 kg s−1, and the surface erosion rates between 5.6 m/100 Myr and 56 m/100 Myr — with a median value of about 14 m/100 Myr. From a comparison with the preliminary results of the crater frequency distribution of Europa, it is estimated that the surface of Europa could be geologically very young with an age of probably between 30 and 100 Myr.