The scarps that cut across the surface of Mercury probably were
A)Cut by flowing lava
B)Produced by impacts
C)Formed when the crust buckled as Mercury cooled
D)Formed when crustal plates ran together during plate tectonics

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Scarps on Mercury are generally believed to be the result of the planet's crust contracting as it cooled, causing the surface to buckle and create the steep cliffs that we observe. This process is a form of tectonic activity, but not associated with the kind of plate movements that occur on Earth, ruling out options A and D. Although impacts have played a role in shaping the surface of Mercury, they are not likely to have caused the large-scale tectonic features observed on the planet, making option B less likely.

The Scarps That Cut Across the Surface of Mercury Probably