How did lobate scarps on Mercury form?

Lobate scarps on Mercury are features that indicate the planet has experienced significant geological activity, primarily attributed to the cooling and contraction of its metallic core. As Mercury cooled over geological time, the interior underwent contraction, leading to the fracturing of the crust. This contraction caused large thrust faults that produced the lobate scarps, which are characterized by their curved, ridge-like structures.

These geological features serve as evidence that Mercury has not been completely inactive since its formation. Instead, they reflect a history of tectonic processes that have reshaped the surface.

In contrast to the other options, volcanic activity has not been a primary process for the formation of lobate scarps, given that they are not associated with volcanic features but instead with tectonic stress. The impact of asteroids plays a role in creating craters but does not explain the origin of the scarps. Finally, while tectonic plate movements are common on Earth, Mercury’s geology is more accurately described as the result of internal contraction rather than dynamic plate tectonics as seen on our planet.