Mercury's Surface: Preliminary Description and Interpretation from Mariner 10 Pictures.
The surface morphology and optical properties of Mercury resemble those of the moon in remarkable detail and record a very similar sequence of events. Chemical and mineralogical similarity of the outer layers of Mercury and the moon is implied; Mercury is probably a differentiated planet with a large iron-rich core. Differentiation is inferred to have occurred very early. No evidence of atmospheric modification of landforms has been found. Large-scale scarps and ridges unlike lunar or martian features may reflect a unique period of planetary compression near the end of heavy bombardment by small planetesimals.
Murray
B C
BC
Belton
M J
MJ
Danielson
G E
GE
Davies
M E
ME
Gault
D E
DE
Hapke
B
B
O'leary
B
B
Strom
R G
RG
Suomi
V
V
Trask
N
N