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Mercurian volcanism questioned

January 1, 1976

The Mariner 10 television team has argued that extensive plains on Mercury were formed by volcanism and compared them with the demonstrably lunar maria. I believe, however, that in stratigraphic relations, surface morphology, and albedo contrast, the Mercurian plains more closely resemble the lunar light plains. These lunar plains were interpreted as volcanic on the basis of data comparable to that available to the Mariner 10 investigators but have been shown by the Apollo missions to be of impact origin. The plains on Mercury might also be formed of impact materials, perhaps of impact melt or other basin ejecta that behaved more like a fluid when emplaced that did lunar basin ejecta. ?? 1976.

Publication Year 1976
Title Mercurian volcanism questioned
Authors D.E. Wilhelms
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Icarus
Index ID 70010959
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse