What geological mechanism explains why Tycho’s depth is shallow relative to its width?
Answer
The rebound effect following the massive impact forcing material back upward.
The relatively shallow depth-to-diameter ratio observed in Tycho, typical for large, complex craters, is primarily attributed to the rebound effect that occurs after a colossal impact. When the impactor struck with immense energy, it compressed the subsurface deeply, causing the ground material to behave almost like a fluid. After the initial compression, this material sprang back upward, rebounding toward the original surface level. This springing back action effectively filled in a significant portion of the initial cavity created by the strike, resulting in a final retained depth that is proportionally smaller relative to the crater's overall width.
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