Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat

Details Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat

Jun 1995

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1995sci...268.1455j&link_type=abstract

Science, Volume 268, Issue 5216, pp. 1455-1457

Computer Science

54

Scientific paper

Microwave and mid-infrared observations reveal that Mercury's surface contains less FeO + TiO_2 and at least as much feldspar as the lunar highlands. The results are compatible with the high albedo (brightness) of Mercury's surface at visible wavelengths in suggesting a rock and soil composition that is devoid of basalt, the primary differentiate of terrestrial mantles. The occurrence of a basalt-free, highly differentiated crust is in accord with recent models of the planet's thermal evolution and suggests that Mercury has retained a hot interior as a result of a combination of inefficient mantle convection and minimal volcanic heat loss.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence for a Basalt-Free Surface on Mercury and Implications for Internal Heat will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-759558