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Science 1 May 2009:
Vol. 324. no. 5927, pp. 613 - 618
DOI: 10.1126/science.1172226
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Reports

The Evolution of Mercury’s Crust: A Global Perspective from MESSENGER

Brett W. Denevi,1,* Mark S. Robinson,1 Sean C. Solomon,2 Scott L. Murchie,3 David T. Blewett,3 Deborah L. Domingue,3 Timothy J. McCoy,4 Carolyn M. Ernst,3 James W. Head,5 Thomas R. Watters,6 Nancy L. Chabot3

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.

1 School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85251, USA.
2 Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington, DC 20015, USA.
3 Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD 20723, USA.
4 National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA.
5 Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA.
6 Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560, USA.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: bdenevi{at}ser.asu.edu

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
MESSENGER Observations of Mercury's Exosphere: Detection of Magnesium and Distribution of Constituents.
W. E. McClintock, R. J. Vervack Jr, E. T. Bradley, R. M. Killen, N. Mouawad, A. L. Sprague, M. H. Burger, S. C. Solomon, and N. R. Izenberg (2009)
Science 324, 610-613
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Evolution of the Rembrandt Impact Basin on Mercury.
T. R. Watters, J. W. Head, S. C. Solomon, M. S. Robinson, C. R. Chapman, B. W. Denevi, C. I. Fassett, S. L. Murchie, and R. G. Strom (2009)
Science 324, 618-621
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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