article_snippet: According to Nature, this could mean sunlight plays an important role in the formation of the features by, for instance, heating up ice just beneath the surface and causing the surface blast of in a plume.
article_snippet: The leading theory now for the alien spots is that the ice is covered by a thin layer of soil that at times forms into huge 'cryovolcanoes' due to internal pressure in the asteroid.
article_snippet: While Nasa has not provided an explanation, scientists previously said these spots may be frozen pools of ice at the bottom of a crater that reflect light.
highlights_snippet: Leading theory is that ice is covered by a thin layer of soil that can explode due to pressure in the asteroid .