Mercury, the smallest planet in the Solar System, may be shrinking faster than scientists thought. A new study revealed that the planet may have undergone contraction up to 30% greater than previous estimates.
According to the research, Mercury's diameter may have undergone a maximum reduction of 23 kilometres. This data represents a significant change from the scientific models that existed until now about the planet's evolution.
Mercury's shrinkage is due to the cooling of its internal core over millions of years. As the core contracts, the planet's crust adapts to this change, creating the geological characteristics that can be observed on its surface.
This new study challenges previous theories about the rate of cooling and contraction of the planet, suggesting that the geological processes on Mercury are more dynamic than previously estimated.
