Could there be life on Jupiter's moon Europa? Europa is the fourth largest moon of Jupiter. Scientists think that life may exist on Europa because there is evidence that liquid water may exist beneath its icy surface. Europa is pushed and pulled by the high gravity of Jupiter as well as by the gravity of Jupiter's other moons. This makes Europa expand and contract and causes it to heat up and this heat may cause some of Euorpa's icy crust to melt under the surface. So, there may be lakes and oceans of liquid water on Europa. Water is a major requirement for life. If there is liquid water on Europa, there may be life.