The evidence for recent geological activity on Pluto came as a surprise to most scientists, because they did not expect Pluto to retain enough heat to drive such activity. Which of the following best explains why Pluto is so geologically active despite its small size?
A. The activity is driven by tidal heating caused by Pluto’s moons.
B. Pluto’s tall mountains built of water ice must be unstable, and when they collapse they can cause geological activity
C. The activity is driven by heat from the many impacts that occur in the Kuiper belt.
D. The activity involves nitrogen ice, so Pluto does not need much heat to cause this ice to undergo change.
E. The activity is driven by the heat of a subsurface ocean.
Ans: D. The activity involves nitrogen ice, so Pluto does not need much heat to cause this ice to undergo change.
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