Evolution of the interior of Mercury. (1) Global melting of the planet and separation of a metallic core (orange-yellow) and a silicate magma ocean; (2) Cooling of the planet, crystallization of the solid inner core (formation of Fe-snow) and formation of a thin FeS layer (yellow) at the core-mantle boundary, crystallization of the magma ocean producing the primordial mantle and a graphite floatation crust. (3) Partial melting of the solidified mantle, production of the secondary crust by lavas flows and synchronous cratering of the surface. (4) Termination of major volcanism, global planetary contraction (contraction faults at the surface). | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Garlick, Mark |
Bildgröße: | 6000 px × 4005 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |