And that gas released into the atmosphere means faster erosion of the ozone layer, possibly speeding up the process and making matters even worse.

FORBES: Climate Catastrophe Nearer, Al Gore Gives Us About 90 More Years

These include "sputtering" erosion - the bombardment of the surface by very fast charged particles (a process similar to sandblasting) - and impacts by meteorites.

BBC: Ice blades threaten Europa landing