Each day we feature a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. The surface of the planet Mercury is not without fault. The above fault line is called Santa Maria Rupes, and runs through many prominent craters. The meandering feature is thought to be the result of huge forces of compression on Mercury 's surface. Such rupes probably originate from large impacts and a general shrinking of Mercury 's crust, which in turn causes parts of the crust to push above other parts.
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