Source(s) of the smooth Caloris exterior plains on Mercury: Mapping, remote analyses, and scenarios for future testing with BepiColombo data
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Mercury hosts widespread smooth plains that are concentrated in the Caloris impact basin, in an annulus surrounding the Caloris basin, and in the adjacent northern smooth plains. The origins of these smooth plains are uncertain, although prior work suggests these plains in the northwestern Caloris annulus might reflect volcanic activity, impact ejecta, or a combination of the two. Deciphering the timing and mode of emplacement of these plains would provide a critical constraint on regional late-stage volcanism or impact effects. In this work, the region northwest of Caloris was investigated using geomorphological and color-based mapping, crater counting techniques, and spectral analyses with the goal of placing constraints on the source of the observed units and identifying the primary emplacement mechanism. Mapping and spectral analyses confirm previous findings of two distinct, yet intermingled, units within these plains, each with similar crater count model ages that postdate the formation of the Caloris impact basin. Mapping, spectra analysis, ages, and the identification of potential flow pathways are more consistent with a predominantly volcanic origin for the smooth plains materials, although these data do not rule out contributions from impact ejecta or impact melt. We propose several hypothetical scenarios, including post-emplacement modification by near-surface volatiles, to explain these observations and clarify the emplacement mechanism for these specific smooth plains regions. Further observations from the BepiColombo mission should provide data to potentially address the outstanding questions from this work.
Suggested Citation
Golder, K.G., Thompson, B.J., Ostrach, L.R., Burr, D.M., Emery, J.P., and Hiesinger, H., 2025, Source(s) of the smooth Caloris exterior plains on Mercury: Mapping, remote analyses, and scenarios for future testing with BepiColombo data: Remote Sensing, v. 18, no. 1, 19, 27 p., https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010019.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Source(s) of the smooth Caloris exterior plains on Mercury: Mapping, remote analyses, and scenarios for future testing with BepiColombo data |
| Series title | Remote Sensing |
| DOI | 10.3390/rs18010019 |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | December 20, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | MDPI |
| Contributing office(s) | Astrogeology Science Center |
| Description | 19, 27 p. |
| Other Geospatial | Mercury |