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Earth is a 'living' planet; its surface is always being changed by the processes of erosion and geological action. Those craters that still remain are either too big to be noticed specifically as craters without the right perspective or, as noted in the question, so few in number that they are a major rarity.

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Why do you see impact craters on mercury and the moon but not so much on earth?

Earth has a thicker atmosphere that burns up most of the smaller meteoroids before they can reach the surface, whereas Mercury and the Moon have very thin or no atmosphere to protect them. As a result, these bodies are more vulnerable to impacts from space debris, creating visible craters. Additionally, Earth's active geological processes, such as erosion and tectonic activity, continually reshape the surface and can erase evidence of impact craters over time.


Why doesn't the earth have craters all over it like the moon?

the earth has had its far share of craters formed in its past fof example...the bay of biscay but because of jupiters presense it sucks in debory before it reaches our planet and the moon suffers as pig in the middle


What is the surfuce of the moon like?

The surface of the Moon is rocky and covered with craters, mountains, and plains. It has no atmosphere, so there is no weathering or erosion like on Earth. The surface is also covered in a layer of fine, powdery dust called regolith.


Why are there craters on the moon?

Craters on the moon are formed when objects from space, like asteroids or meteoroids, collide with its surface. The moon lacks an atmosphere to protect it, so these objects hit the surface directly, creating impact craters. Over time, these craters have accumulated, giving the moon its pockmarked appearance.


Why is the so little evidence of the period of heavy bombardment on earth?

The lack of evidence of the period of heavy bombardment on Earth is primarily due to the dynamic nature of our planet's surface, which has been reshaped by processes such as erosion, plate tectonics, and volcanic activity. Additionally, Earth's geological activity has continuously recycled its surface through processes like melting and subduction, further obscuring ancient impact craters.

Related Questions

Did the earth avoid flying space debris to avoid craters?

No. Earth has probably been hit by more space debris than the moon has. However, Earth has geologic processes that bury and destroy impact craters over time so that few of them are visible today.


Why do you see so few craters on the earth compared to the moon?

The moon is hit by many more meteorites than Earth because it has no significant atmosphere to burn them up in. Also as the earths surface is continually changing, visible craters may be filled in, smoothed over or covered up.


What happened to all of earths craters?

Erosion and coverage. Weather, rain, floods, wind, earthquakes, plants and so on have eroded much of the craters that were on earth. Vegetation helps to disguise earth's craters as well. Since Earth has had an atmosphere for quite some time, many meteors burn up in the atmosphere before they would hit earth and leave a crater. Now only some of the largest craters are visible.


Why do you think there are millions of impact craters on the moon and so few on Earth?

The Earth has had far more asteroid and meteorite impacts than the moon. Impact craters on Earth however are eroded by the atmosphere and water and also filled in by water and sediment. Since the moon has next to no atmosphere craters tend not to erode so they will always be visable.


Why can you see the craters of the moon so clearly on earth?

The craters on the moon are clearly visible from Earth because of their size and contrast with the surrounding lunar surface. The sunlight casts shadows in and around the craters, enhancing their visibility. Additionally, the lack of atmosphere on the moon means there is no atmospheric distortion to interfere with our view.


Why does the moon have impact craters that are more visible than earth's?

The Moon is a more bleach environment and the Earth has Plant Life, Water, buildings, and that kind of thing. So craters on the Moon are seen better because it is more distinctive, the Moon is basically rock, dust, and more rock.


Why are there so many craters on the moon and mars compared to earth?

Mars and our moon do not have dense atmospheres where many of the smaller probable impacts break up prior to reaching terra firma's earth. Second the earth's massive tectonic shifts mold the earth slowly and the actions of wind, water, and life break down geologic features, so many visible craters are erased.


What is visible on the moon?

There are several lunar features that are visible to the naked eye, and more are visible with even a very small telescope.The craters are probably the most obvious; circular impact craters caused by the collision of some very large asteroids or comets have created circular mountain ranges that are hundreds of miles in diameter. There are craters in craters, craters ON craters, and chains of craters. Because the Moon lacks an atmosphere, there are no erosive forces to break down and hide the craters (as there is here on Earth) and so the only thing wearing away the old craters are ..... new craters!Lunar craters are usually named for astronomers and scientists.The other major features of the Moon are the maria, or seas. Originally believed to be oceans and seas of water by classical observers, we now believe that they were made by lava flows.


Why are some areas of the moon smooth with no craters?

... as compared to Earth, I suppose. On Earth, the weather will remove most traces of craters rather quickly, in a few million years for large craters, in a fraction of a million years for smaller craters.... as compared to Earth, I suppose. On Earth, the weather will remove most traces of craters rather quickly, in a few million years for large craters, in a fraction of a million years for smaller craters.... as compared to Earth, I suppose. On Earth, the weather will remove most traces of craters rather quickly, in a few million years for large craters, in a fraction of a million years for smaller craters.... as compared to Earth, I suppose. On Earth, the weather will remove most traces of craters rather quickly, in a few million years for large craters, in a fraction of a million years for smaller craters.


Why are there more and larger creaters on the surface of the moon than the earth?

Erosion. The earth has suffered its share of impacts, but the eroding effects of wind and water have weathered away all but the biggest or most recent craters. The moon has no atmosphere or water so the impacts there are preserved.


Why is it easier for space objects to hit the moon and make a crater than it is for the same space object to hit the earth and make a crater?

It's not. In fact, the converse is true; the Earth is both a bigger target and has a stronger gravitational field. However, the Earth has a significant atmosphere, and thus weathering, so craters on the Moon tend to last much, much longer than craters on the Earth. The fact that Earth is geologically active and has life also shorten the length of time that craters remain visible and recognizable.


Does only the moon have craters?

No, Earth has some craters, but not as many because Earth has an atmosphere to destroy or smallen meteors, but the moon does not, so it is hit by meteors more3 often.