Final answer:
Jovian moons are more geologically active due to tidal heating from their parent gas giants, in addition to retaining primordial heat. Moons like Io, Europa, and Enceladus are heated internally by the gravitational tug of planets like Jupiter and Saturn, leading to heightened volcanism and tectonic activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jovian moons can be more geologically active than terrestrial worlds of a similar size due to a number of factors related to their unique conditions and energy sources. Unlike terrestrial planets that mainly rely on primordial heat and radioactive decay, moons like Io, Europa, and Enceladus receive additional heat through tidal heating. This process is caused by the gravitational interaction with their massive host planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, which stretches and flexes their interiors, generating heat.
Another key concept in understanding geological activity is the retention of heat. Larger bodies such as Jovian moons retain heat for longer periods, giving them a more prolonged geological life. This is often illustrated by the analogy of a baked potato, where the larger the potato, the slower it cools, known in planetary science as the 'baked potato effect'. Moreover, the heat generated by tidal forces combined with internal primordial heat supports ongoing geological processes like volcanism and tectonic activity.
The distance from their host planet can also determine the level of geological activity on these moons. Closer proximity means stronger tidal effects and potentially more intense geological activity. For example, Jupiter's moon Io, being closest to Jupiter, experiences extreme volcanism largely as a result of this strong tidal heating.