2 / Geology of Planets / GEOL 109 / Exam 2 Flashcards

Would you be surprised if tomorrow's newspaper reported that a volcano was discovered erupting on Mercury?

Yes, that is not expected to happen on Mercury today.

What causes the differences between impact craters on the Moon and those on Mercury (the extent of the ejecta blanket and secondary cratering)?

different gravitational attractions on each planet

What do thermal models of Mercury's evolution suggest about its history?

That it developed a metallic core early in its history.

The oldest types of terrains on both the Moon and Mercury are __________.

heavily cratered terrain

Which of the following features IS NOT found on the Moon and Mercury? (Check all that apply)

dunes

Which image shows a feature that formed by contraction of Mercury's surface?

Right picture; the trench/line thing

Which of the following tectonic processes are thought to have occurred on Mercury? (Check all that apply)

graben formation due to extension

thrust faulting due to contraction of the planet

Mercury's smooth plains ________.

may be similar in origin to the lunar maria

One of these impact craters is on the Moon and the other is on Mercury. Click on the one on Mercury.

Left; much more defined crater

What explains Mercury's iron large core? Choose the two most likely.

A large impact stripped away the silicate shell from an already differentiated Mercury.

Mercury formed near the Sun in a zone that was oxygen-poor and rich in metallic iron.