Ice Geysers on Enceladus Ringmaker Moon The ice particles ejected from Enceladus is responsible for the formation of the E ring around Saturn.  NASA Discovery The ice geysers of Enceladus were first discovered by the Cassini spacecraft in 2005, during a flyby.  NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Surprising Find Scientists did not know the existence of such plumes when the Cassini spacecraft flew through them.  Karl Kofoed Hydrothermal Source Tne geysers are believed to be powered by hydrothermal activity within the global subsurface ocean.  NASA Tiger Stripes The geysers erupt from tortured terrain and fissures near the south pole, dubbed 'The Tiger Stripes'.  NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Composition The plumes consist of ice particles, water vapour, methane, carbon dioxide and simple hydrocarbons.  NASA/JPL/Space Science Institute Eruption Mechanism The tidal forces of Titan cause the cracks in the surface, with the internal pressure causing the spouts.  Cassini Imaging Team, SSI, JPL, ESA, NASA Plume Activity The activity of the geysers depends on how far Enceladus is from Saturn, confirming the tidal influence.  NASA/JPL-Caltech/Space Science Institute Surface Features The material from the plume falls back on the surface, creating bright deposits of fresh ice.  NASA Potential for Life The presence of water, heat and organic compounds makes Enceladus a prime target to hunt for life.  NASA Access to the Ocean The geysers provides future spacecraft with access to material from the global subsurface ocean.  NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Conceptual Image Lab The Hunt for Life Future spacecraft will not need to drill through the kilometres thick ice shell to sample the ocean water.  Karl Kofoed Future Missions The geysers have made Enceladus a target for future missions to assess its habitability and examine its ocean.  NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center