The evolution of Mercury's crust: a global perspective from MESSENGER.
Mapping the distribution and extent of major terrain types on a planet's surface helps to constrain the origin and evolution of its crust. Together, MESSENGER and Mariner 10 observations of Mercury now provide a near-global look at the planet, revealing lateral and vertical heterogeneities in the color and thus composition of Mercury's crust. Smooth plains cover approximately 40% of the surface, and evidence for the volcanic origin of large expanses of plains suggests that a substantial portion of the crust originated volcanically. A low-reflectance, relatively blue component affects at least 15% of the surface and is concentrated in crater and basin ejecta. Its spectral characteristics and likely origin at depth are consistent with its apparent excavation from a lower crust or upper mantle enriched in iron- and titanium-bearing oxides.
Denevi
Brett W
BW
School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA. bdenevi@ser.asu.edu
Robinson
Mark S
MS
Solomon
Sean C
SC
Murchie
Scott L
SL
Blewett
David T
DT
Domingue
Deborah L
DL
McCoy
Timothy J
TJ
Ernst
Carolyn M
CM
Head
James W
JW
Watters
Thomas R
TR
Chabot
Nancy L
NL