Scarps

Definition

Scarps are steep slopes or cliffs found on planetary surfaces, often formed by tectonic activity. On Mercury, scarps are prominent features resulting from the planet's cooling and contracting crust.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. They are also known as lobate scarps due to their curved shapes.
2. Scarps on Mercury can be hundreds of kilometers long and up to 3 kilometers high.
3. They indicate that Mercury's interior has cooled and contracted over time.
4. Mercury's scarps suggest the planet has experienced significant tectonic activity in its past.
5. These features provide evidence that Mercury's crust is shrinking as it cools.

Review Questions

• What causes the formation of scarps on Mercury?
• How do scarps provide evidence for Mercury’s geological history?
• What distinguishes lobate scarps from other types of cliffs?

Related terms

Tectonic Activity: Movements within a planet's crust that lead to the formation of structures like mountains and faults

Crustal Contraction: The process of a planet’s crust shrinking due to cooling, leading to the formation of surface features like scarps

Lobate Scarp: A type of scarp with a curved, lobe-like structure commonly found on Mercury