Mathematics – Logic
Scientific paper
Dec 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008agufm.u21a0019f&link_type=abstract
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #U21A-0019
Mathematics
Logic
5420 Impact Phenomena, Cratering (6022, 8136), 5470 Surface Materials And Properties, 6235 Mercury
Scientific paper
New observations of the Caloris basin from the January 2008 flyby of the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft have helped address important questions about the extent of the basin, its filling and modification history, the nature of its ejecta deposits, and the origin of smooth plains on both its interior and exterior. These data reveal that the basin is ~15% larger than was originally estimated by Mariner 10 and is moderately elliptical (1525 x 1315 km). Prominent basin-related sculpture and secondary craters are observed around Caloris to distances of at least 1700 km from the basin rim (extending over at least 20% of the surface area of the planet), emphasizing the significance of this event as a stratigraphic marker. MESSENGER data indicate that the entire basin interior is partially filled, embaying the Caloris Montes rim material with plains that are likely of volcanic origin. Some areas of smooth plains on the Caloris exterior have characteristics suggesting that they embay both surrounding highlands and other smooth plains, which is strong evidence that they were also emplaced by volcanism rather than impact. However, much of the circum-Caloris plains display limited color contrast with their surroundings and have morphological characteristics consistent with their emplacement as impact melt or fluidized ejecta, similar to the Cayley Plains on the Moon. The stratigraphy of the Caloris basin region that was inferred on the basis of Mariner 10 data is generally supported by new observations, as the main facies of the Caloris Group (the Caloris Montes, Odin Formation, and Van Eyck Formation) are apparent in MESSENGER images. These findings re-emphasize the importance of understanding the Caloris basin for interpreting the detailed geological history of Mercury.
Blewett Dave T.
Chapman Clark R.
Dickson James L.
Fassett Caleb I.
Head James W.
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