answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer
Surface features

Mercury is a small planet that is quite hot (approximately 800°F [427°C] during a Mercurian day) when the Sun shines on its surface. It has a very thin atmosphere of oxygen, potassium, and sodium vapors. The surface pressure of atmosphere is too low to have wind. Without wind, running water, and flowing ice, the range of surface processes is limited to physical weathering effects of heating and cooling and meteoritic impact.

Mariner 10 is the only spacecraft to have photographed the surface of Mercury. Completing a total of three close encounters with the planet, in March and September 1974, and March 1975, the space probe was able to record details over about 45% of Mercury's crater strewn surface. The remaining half of Mercury's surface has never been photographed.

Mercury's surface is very similar to that of the Moon. There are, however, some important differences This expanse of the surface of Mercury is about 217 mi (350 km) across. These inter-crater plains, located near the south pole, are traversed by numerous ridges and scarps. The crustal fracturing on Mercury is as large in scale as that on Earth. U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). in features. Mercury has, for example, relatively fewer craters larger than 15.5-31 mi (25-50 km) in diameter. There are no extensive highland regions on Mercury, and the surface is subdivided simply into "cratered terrain" and "intercrater plains" based upon differences in crater density and size. Resurfaced regions on Mercury are rare (<15% of the surface), and are referred to as "smooth plains." Unlike the Moon, Mercury exhibits many scalloped cliffs, or lobate scarps that can run for several hundred kilometers and be as much as 0.6 mi (1 km) high. Only one lunar-like mare, the Caloris Basin, has been discovered on Mercury, however, many large multi-ring crater basins (124-373 mi [200-600 km] in diameter) are filled with flood basalts like the lunar mare. Sporting a relatively flat but wrinkled floor, and being surrounded by a ring of 1.24 mi-(2 km) high mountains, the Caloris Basin, with a diameter of about 807.5 mi (1,300 km), is the largest Mercurian feature.

Read more: Mercury (Planet) - Surface Features http://science.jrank.org/pages/4242/Mercury-Planet-Surface-features.html#ixzz0XiIEDFNv

User Avatar

Nedra O'Kon

Lvl 10
3y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago
Surface features

Mercury is a small planet that is quite hot (approximately 800°F [427°C] during a Mercurian day) when the Sun shines on its surface. It has a very thin atmosphere of oxygen, potassium, and sodium vapors. The surface pressure of atmosphere is too low to have wind. Without wind, running water, and flowing ice, the range of surface processes is limited to physical weathering effects of heating and cooling and meteoritic impact.

Mariner 10 is the only spacecraft to have photographed the surface of Mercury. Completing a total of three close encounters with the planet, in March and September 1974, and March 1975, the space probe was able to record details over about 45% of Mercury's crater strewn surface. The remaining half of Mercury's surface has never been photographed.

Mercury's surface is very similar to that of the Moon. There are, however, some important differences This expanse of the surface of Mercury is about 217 mi (350 km) across. These inter-crater plains, located near the south pole, are traversed by numerous ridges and scarps. The crustal fracturing on Mercury is as large in scale as that on Earth. U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). in features. Mercury has, for example, relatively fewer craters larger than 15.5-31 mi (25-50 km) in diameter. There are no extensive highland regions on Mercury, and the surface is subdivided simply into "cratered terrain" and "intercrater plains" based upon differences in crater density and size. Resurfaced regions on Mercury are rare (<15% of the surface), and are referred to as "smooth plains." Unlike the Moon, Mercury exhibits many scalloped cliffs, or lobate scarps that can run for several hundred kilometers and be as much as 0.6 mi (1 km) high. Only one lunar-like mare, the Caloris Basin, has been discovered on Mercury, however, many large multi-ring crater basins (124-373 mi [200-600 km] in diameter) are filled with flood basalts like the lunar mare. Sporting a relatively flat but wrinkled floor, and being surrounded by a ring of 1.24 mi-(2 km) high mountains, the Caloris Basin, with a diameter of about 807.5 mi (1,300 km), is the largest Mercurian feature.

Read more: Mercury (Planet) - Surface Features http://science.jrank.org/pages/4242/Mercury-Planet-Surface-features.html#ixzz0XiIEDFNv

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What are some surface features of mercury?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What are features common on mercury's surface?

crater's


Is there darkness on Mercury?

Yes. There is night on Mercury and features on the surface cast shadows.


What planet has surface features that last for billions of years because a little erosion?

Mercury is the planet that has surface features that can last for billions of years due to its lack of erosion. The lack of an atmosphere and geological activity on Mercury means that impacts from space are the primary process that shapes its surface features.


What are some land features on mercury?

the are beast


What are the surface features on Mercury compared to Earth?

while earths surface is smooth or rocky or filled with water, mercurys surface is made out of cotton candy, the clouds on mercury are fuzz balls and the water is coors light. mercury is awesome, earth sucks ._. creepy face


What is a physical feature of Mercury?

It is the only metal to be fluently on the surface of the earth in room temperature - luise Canyons are physical features that are found on Mercury -Chrissy


Features of the sun's surface?

Scientists have discovered many features of the sun&acirc;??s surface. Some of these features include a rigid iron surface, sunspots, prominences, and solar flares.


What kind of surface does Mercury have?

This planet is rocky. It has many features such as highlands, entire plains, crater, cliffhangers, and ridges.


What are 3 noticeable features that are found on the surface of mercury?

Three noticeable features found on the surface of Mercury are vast impact craters caused by collisions with asteroids and comets, long scarps or cliffs that suggest the planet has shrunk over time, and smooth plains formed by volcanic activity.


What are Mercury's landforms?

Mercury's surface features include craters, plains, scarps (cliff-like landforms), and ridges. It also has a large basin called the Caloris Basin, which is one of the largest impact features in the solar system.


What is the surface features of mercury?

Mercury's surface features include heavily cratered regions, smooth plains, scarps (cliffs), and areas with volcanic activity that have created smooth, dark plains. The surface also has a distinctive color contrast between the dark mare-like plains and the bright, cratered highlands.


What are the some of colors features special characteristics of Mercury?

blue or red