Planet Mercury

Large Faults on Mercury Surface (- courtesy NASA)

Large Faults on Mercury Surface - courtesy NASA

Example of a large fault, Santa Maria Rupes, running from top to bottom of image. Such faults (known as lobate scarps) can rise to a height of 2-3 kms and some extend for many hundreds of kms. They are thought to be a consequence of the shrinkage of the planet, when the core and mantle began to cool, reducing the radius by about 2-4 kms.



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