Different types of geological features on the planet Mercury are named after different things: Mercurian ridges are called dorsa, and are named after astronomers who made detailed studies of the planet;

valley A valley is an elongated low area often running between hills or mountains and typically containing a river or stream running from one end to the other. Most valleys are formed by erosion of the land surface by rivers or streams over ...

s are called valles, and are named after ancient abandoned cities, towns, and settlements; crater chains are called catenae and are named after radio telescope facilities; plains are called planitiae, and most are named after mythological names associated with Mercury; escarpments are called rupes and are named after the ships of famous explorers; long, narrow depressions are called fossae and are named after works of

architecture Architecture is the art and technique of designing and building, as distinguished from the skills associated with construction. It is both the process and the product of sketching, conceiving, planning, designing, and construction, constructi ...

; bright spots are called faculae and are named after the word 'snake' in various languages. Longitude is west longitude.

List of geological features on Mercury

References

* Batson R.M., Russell J.F. (1994), ''Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature'', United States Geological Survey Bulletin 212

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geological features on Mercury Surface features of Mercury, * Mercury (planet)-related lists

List of geological features on Mercury

See also

References