title: Mercury's Surface: Preliminary Description and Interpretation from Mariner 10 Pictures.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Belton
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Danielson
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Gault
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hapke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: O'leary
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Strom
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Suomi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Trask