Why do scientists think the smallest planet shrinking in size?
This data came back in January, and it has now been analyzed and results published. Messenger sent back pictures of parts of Mercury that had never been seen before. Previously we only had partial scans from previous probes that flew by instead of orbited. Messenger will fly by Mercury again a few more times before being inserted into orbit around Mercury. Messenger also sent back data bout Mercury’s smooth surface and lobate scarps. The smooth surface was caused by lava flows from volcanoes that filled in many craters. The lobate scarps are distinct crumple zones on Mercury’s surface. They are caused by Mercury shrinking in size. It is theorized that Mercury’s interior is slowly solidifying from liquid into solid. When most things solidify, they shrink in volume. If the planet shrinks in volume, then its surface has to contract with it. Weaker parts of its surface increase in pressure and protrude upwards into lobate scarps. Scientists estimate that Mercury has shrunk more than a mile
