Caloris

/kæˈloʊ.rɪs/ noun

Definition

A large impact basin on the planet Mercury, notable for being one of the solar system's largest impact craters.

Etymology

From Latin 'calor' (heat), named by planetary scientists because it's located in one of Mercury's hottest regions due to its proximity to the sun.

Kelly Says

The Caloris Basin is so massive that when the asteroid hit Mercury billions of years ago, seismic waves bounced around the planet and caused earthquakes on the opposite side!

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