'Ice Volcanoes' Found on Pluto's Surface Hint at Possibility of Life

Astronomers have discovered what they believe to be active ‘ice volcanoes’ on Pluto’s surface, capable of spewing water and ice. Their findings come from studying footage of Pluto captured by the New Horizons spacecraft’s fly-by mission of the dwarf planet in 2015. Though ice volcanoes have been discovered elsewhere, the study’s author, Kelsi Singer, says the ones on Pluto ‘look nothing like anything else we have seen in the solar system.’

The findings indicate that Pluto has more internal heat than previously assumed, and could contain a warm subsurface ‘ocean’ from which the icy lava would spew. And, though the chances realistically would be considered extremely slim, the existence of warm water could also hint at the possibility of life.