GEOLOGY & PLANETARY SCIENCE A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z                    HOME ABOUT CATEGORIES SITE MAP COPYRIGHT ADVERTISE CONTACT entire Web this site young (surface) The south polar region of Neptune's moon Triton shows abundant signs of fairly recent resurfacing, possibly due in part to geyser-like eruptions of nitrogen which could have brought up darker materials from the crust Descriptive of a planetary surface of which the visible features are of relatively recent origin, older features have been destroyed by erosion, lava flows, or other processes. Young surfaces exhibit few impact craters and are typically varied and complex. In contrast, an “old” surface is one that has changed relatively little over geologic time. The surfaces of Earth, Io, and Europa, for example, are young, whereas the surfaces of Mercury and Callisto are old. Related category    • GEOLOGY AND PLANETARY SCIENCE Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) BACK TO TOP