Volcanism on Mercury: Evidence from the first MESSENGER flyby for extrusive and explosive activity and the volcanic origin of plains

Earth and Planetary Science Letters

Volumn 285, Issue 3-4, 2009, Pages 227-242

  Head, James W ^a   Murchie, Scott L ^b   Prockter, Louise M ^b   Solomon, Sean C ^c   Chapman, Clark R ^d   Strom, Robert G ^e   Watters, Thomas R ^f   Blewett, David T ^b   Gillis Davis, Jeffrey J ^g   Fassett, Caleb I ^a   Dickson, James L ^a   Morgan, Gareth A ^a   Kerber, Laura ^a  

^a BROWN UNIVERSITY   (United States)

^b JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY   (United States)

^c GEOPHYSICAL LABORATORY   (United States)

^d SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE   (United States)

^e UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA   (United States)

^f DEPARTMENT OF PALEOBIOLOGY   (United States)

^g UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII   (United States)

Author keywords

Caloris basin; Mercury; MESSENGER; plains; volcanism

Indexed keywords

CALORIS BASIN; MERCURY; MESSENGER; PLAINS; VOLCANISM;

COLOR; CRYSTALLOGRAPHY; DEFORMATION; DEPOSITS; INTERPLANETARY FLIGHT; INTERPLANETARY SPACECRAFT; MERCURY (METAL); MINERALOGY; MINERALS; OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICES; PLASTIC FLOW; STRATIGRAPHY; SURFACES;

VOLCANOES;

CRATER; EXPLOSIVE VOLCANISM; MERCURY (PLANET); PLANETARY SURFACE; SATELLITE IMAGERY; SATELLITE MISSION; VOLCANIC ERUPTION;

EID: 69049109754     PISSN: 0012821X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2009.03.007     Document Type: Article

References (90)

1. Blewett D.T., Robinson M.S., Denevi B.W., Gillis-Davis J.J., Head J.W., Solomon S.C., Holsclaw G.M., and McClintock W.E. Multispectral imaging of Mercury from the first MESSENGER flyby: analysis of global and regional color trends. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 285 (2009) 272-282 (this issue)
2. Carr, M.H., 1966. Geologic map of the Mare Serenitatis region of the Moon. Map I-489, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
3. Carr M.H. The role of lava erosion in the formation of lunar rilles and martian channels. Icarus 22 (1974) 1-23
4. Chevrel S.D., Pinet P.C., and Head J.W. Gruithuisen domes region: a candidate for an extended non-mare volcanism unit on the Moon. J. Geophys. Res. 104 (1999) 16,515-16,529
5. Cintala M.J. Impact-induced thermal effects in the lunar and mercurian regoliths. J. Geophys. Res. 97 (1992) 947-973
6. Cintala M.J., and Grieve R.A.F. Scaling impact melting and crater dimensions: implications for the lunar cratering record. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 33 (1998) 889-912
7. Crumpler L.S., Head J.W., and Aubele J.C. Calderas on Mars: characteristics, structural evolution, and associated flank structures. In: McGuire W.J., Jones A.P., and Neuberg J. (Eds). Volcano Instability on the Earth and Other Planets. Special Publication No. 110 (1996), Geological Society of London 307-347
8. De Hon R.A. Thickness of the western mare basalts. Proc. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 10 (1979) 2935-2955
9. De Hon, R.A., Scott, D.H., Underwood, Jr., J.R., 1981. Geologic map of the Kuiper quadrangle of Mercury (H-6). Map I-1233, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
10. Dzurisin D. The tectonic and volcanic history of Mercury as inferred from studies of scarps, ridges, troughs, and other lineaments. J. Geophys. Res. 83 (1978) 4883-4906
11. Fassett C.I., Head J.W., Blewett D.T., Chapman C.R., Dickson J.L., Murchie S.L., Solomon S.C., and Watters T.R. Caloris impact basin: exterior geomorphology, stratigraphy, morphometry, radial sculpture, and smooth plains deposits. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 285 (2009) 297-308 (this issue)
12. Gaddis L.R., Staid M.I., Tyburczy J.A., Hawke B.R., and Petro N.E. Compositional analyses of lunar pyroclastic deposits. Icarus 161 (2003) 262-282
13. Guest, J.E., Greeley, R., 1983. Geologic map of the Shakespeare quadrangle of Mercury (H-3). Map I-1408, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
14. Hawkins III S.E., Boldt J.D., Darlington E.H., Espiritu R., Gold R.E., Gotwols B., Grey M.P., Hash C.D., Hayes J.R., Jaskulek S.E., Kardian C.J., Keller M.R., Malaret E.R., Murchie S.L., Murphy P.K., Peacock K., Prockter L.M., Reiter R.A., Robinson M.S., Schaefer E.D., Shelton R.G., Sterner II R.E., Taylor H.W., Watters T.R., and Williams B.D. The Mercury Dual Imaging System on the MESSENGER spacecraft. Space Sci. Rev. 131 (2007) 247-338
15. Head J.W. Lunar dark-mantle deposits: possible clues to the distribution of early mare deposits. Proc. Lunar Sci. Conf. 5 (1974) 207-222
16. Head J.W. Orientale multi-ringed basin interior and implications for petrogenesis of the lunar samples. Moon 11 (1974) 327-356
17. Head J.W. Processes of lunar crater degradation: changes in style with geologic time. Moon 12 (1975) 299-329
18. Head J.W. Lunar volcanism in space and time. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 14 (1976) 265-300
19. Head J.W. Lava flooding of ancient planetary crusts: geometry, thickness, and volumes of flooded lunar impact basins. Moon Planets 26 (1982) 61-88
20. Head J.W., and Gifford A. Lunar mare domes: classification and modes of origin. Moon Planets 22 (1980) 235-258
21. Head J.W., and McCord T.B. Imbrian-age highland volcanism on the Moon: the Gruithuisen and Mairan domes. Science 199 (1978) 1433-1436
22. Head J.W., and Wilson L. Alphonsus-type dark-halo craters: morphology, morphometry, and eruption conditions. Proc. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 10 (1979) 2861-2897
23. Head J.W., and Wilson L. Absence of large shield volcanoes and calderas on the Moon: consequence of magma transport phenomena?. Geophys. Res. Lett. 18 (1991) 2121-2124
24. Head J.W., and Wilson L. Lunar mare volcanism: stratigraphy, eruption conditions, and the evolution of secondary crusts. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 55 (1992) 2155-2175
25. Head J.W., and Wilson L. Theoretical aspects of magma generation, ascent and eruption on Mercury and comparison with composition and morphology of surface features. Mercury: Space Environment, Surface, and Interior (2001), Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, Tex. abstract 8039
26. Head J.W., Pieters C.M., McCord T., Adams J., and Zisk S. Definition and detailed characterization of lunar surface units using remote observations. Icarus 33 (1978) 145-172
27. Head J.W., Wilson L., and Weitz C.M. Dark ring in southwestern Orientale basin: origin as a single pyroclastic eruption. J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002) 5001 10.1029/2000JE001438
28. Head J.W., Chapman C.R., Domingue D.L., Hawkins III S.E., McClintock W.E., Murchie S.L., Prockter L.M., Robinson M.S., Strom R.G., and Watters T.R. The geology of Mercury: the view prior to the MESSENGER mission. Space Sci. Rev. 131 (2007) 41-84
29. Head J.W., Murchie S.L., Prockter L.M., Robinson M.S., Solomon S.C., Strom R.G., Chapman C.R., Watters T.R., McClintock W.E., Blewett D.T., and Gillis-Davis J.J. Volcanism on Mercury: evidence from the first MESSENGER flyby. Science 321 (2008) 69-72
30. Head J.W., Murchie S.L., Prockter L.M., Solomon S.C., Strom R.G., Chapman C.R., Watters T.R., Blewett D.T., Gillis-Davis J.J., Fassett C.I., Dickson J.L., Hurwitz D.M., and Ostrach L.R. Evidence for intrusive activity on Mercury from the first MESSENGER flyby. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 285 (2009) 251-262 (this issue)
31. Heather D.J., and Dunkin S.K. A stratigraphic study of southern Oceanus Procellarum using Clementine multispectral data. Planet. Space Sci. 50 (2002) 1299-1309
32. Hiesinger H., Jaumann R., Neukum G., and Head J.W. Age of mare basalts on the lunar nearside. J. Geophys. Res. 105 (2000) 29,239-29,275
33. Hiesinger H., Head III J.W., Wolf U., Jaumann R., and Neukum G. Lunar mare basalt flow units: thicknesses determined from crater size-frequency distributions. Geophys. Res. Lett. 29 (2002) 1248 10.1029/2002GL014847
34. Hiesinger H., Head III J.W., Wolf U., Jaumann R., and Neukum G. Ages and stratigraphy of mare basalts in Oceanus Procellarum, Mare Nubium, Mare Cognitum, and Mare Insularum. J. Geophys. Res. 108 (2003) 5065 10.1029/2002JE001985
35. Howard K., Wilhelms D., and Scott D. Lunar basin formation and highland stratigraphy. Rev. Geophys. 12 (1974) 309-327
36. Kerber L., Head J.W., Solomon S.C., Murchie S.L., Blewett D.T., and Wilson L. Explosive volcanic eruptions on Mercury: eruption conditions, magma volatile content, and implications for mantle volatile abundances. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 285 (2009) 263-271 (this issue)
37. King, J.S., Scott, D.H., 1990. Geologic map of the Beethoven quadrangle of Mercury (H-7). Map I-2048, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
38. Kuiper G.P., Whitaker E.A., Strom R.G., Fountain J.W., and Larson S.M. Consolidated Lunar Atlas. Contributions of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory No. 4 (1967), Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz
39. Lucchitta B.K., and Schmitt H.H. Orange material in the Sulpicius Gallus Formation at the southwestern edge of Mare Serenitatis. Proc. Lunar Sci. Conf. 5 (1974) 223-234
40. Malin M.C. Surfaces of Mercury and the Moon: effects of resolution and lighting conditions on the discrimination of volcanic features. Proc. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 9 (1978) 3395-3409
41. McCauley J.F., Guest J.E., Schaber G.G., Trask N.J., and Greeley R. Stratigraphy of the Caloris basin, Mercury. Icarus 15 (1981) 363-367
42. McClintock W.E., Izenberg N.R., Holsclaw G.M., Blewett D.T., Domingue D.L., Head J.W., Helbert J., McCoy T.J., Murchie S.L., Robinson M.S., Solomon S.C., Sprague A.L., and Vilas F. Spectroscopic observations of Mercury's surface reflectance during MESSENGER's first Mercury flyby. Science 321 (2008) 62-65
43. McGill, G.E., King, E.E., 1983. Geologic map of the Victoria quadrangle of Mercury (H-2). Map I-1409, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
44. Milkovich S.M., Head J.W., and Wilson L. Identification of mercurian volcanism: resolution effects and implications for MESSENGER. Meteorit. Planet. Sci. 37 (2002) 1209-1222
45. Murchie S.L., Watters T.R., Robinson M.S., Head J.W., Strom R.G., Chapman C.R., Solomon S.C., McClintock W.E., Prockter L.M., Domingue D.L., and Blewett D.T. Geology of the Caloris basin, Mercury: a view from MESSENGER. Science 321 (2008) 73-76
46. Murray B.C. The Mariner 10 pictures of Mercury: an overview. J. Geophys. Res. 80 (1975) 2342-2344
47. Murray B.C., Strom R.G., Trask N.J., and Gault D.E. Surface history of Mercury: implications for terrestrial planets. J. Geophys. Res. 80 (1975) 2508-2514
48. Mustard J.F., and Head J.W. Buried stratigraphic relationships along the southwestern shores of Oceanus Procellarum: implications for early lunar volcanism. J. Geophys. Res. 101 (1996) 18,913-18,925
49. Oberbeck V.R. The role of ballistic erosion and sedimentation in lunar stratigraphy. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 13 (1975) 337-362
50. Oberbeck V.R., Morrison R.H., Hörz F., and Quaide W.L. Smooth plains and continuous deposits of craters and basins. Proc. Lunar Sci. Conf. 5 (1974) 111-136
51. Oberbeck V.R., Quaide W.L., Arvidson R.E., and Aggarwal H.R. Comparative studies of lunar, Martian, and Mercurian craters and plains. J. Geophys. Res. 82 (1977) 1681-1698
52. Pierazzo E., Vickery A.M., and Melosh H.J. A reevaluation of impact melt production. Icarus 127 (2007) 408-423
53. Pieters C.M., Head J.W., Adams J.B., McCord T.B., Zisk S.H., and Whitford-Stark J.L. Late high titanium basalts of the western maria: geology of the Flamsteed region of Oceanus Procellarum. J. Geophys. Res. 85 (1980) 3913-3938
54. Pieters C.M., Staid M.I., Fischer E.M., Tompkins S., and He G. A sharper view of impact craters from Clementine data. Science 266 (1994) 1844-1848
55. Pike R.J. Geomorphology of impact craters on Mercury. In: Vilas F., Chapman C.R., and Matthews M.S. (Eds). Mercury (1988), Univ. Arizona Press, Tucson, Ariz. 165-273
56. Pinet P.C., Chevrel S.D., and Martin P. Copernicus: a regional probe of the lunar interior. Science 260 (1993) 797-801
57. Robinson M.S., and Lucey P.G. Recalibrated Mariner 10 color mosaics: implications for mercurian volcanism. Science 275 (1997) 197-200
58. Robinson M.S., Murchie S.L., Blewett D.T., Domingue D.L., Hawkins S.E., Head J.W., Holsclaw G.M., McClintock W.E., McCoy T.J., McNutt R.L., Prockter L.M., Solomon S.C., and Watters T.R. Reflectance and color variations on Mercury: indicators of regolith processes and compositional heterogeneity. Science 321 (2008) 66-69
59. Saal A.E., Hauri E.H., Cascio M.L., Van Orman J.A., Rutherford M.C., and Cooper R.F. Volatile content of lunar volcanic glasses and the presence of water in the Moon's interior. Nature 454 (2008) 192-195
60. Schaber, G.G., McCauley, J.F., 1980. Geologic map of the Tolstoj quadrangle of Mercury (H-8). Map I-1199, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
61. Schultz P.H. Floor-fractured lunar craters. Moon 15 (1976) 241-273
62. Schultz P.H. Moon Morphology: Interpretations based on Lunar Orbiter Photography (1976), University of Texas Press, Austin, Tex. 604 pp.
63. Schultz P.H. Endogenic modification of impact craters on Mercury. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 15 (1977) 202-219
64. Sharpton V.L., and Head J.W. Lunar mare ridges: analysis of ridge-crater intersections and implications for the tectonic origin of mare ridges. Proc. Lunar Planet. Sci. Conf. 18 (1988) 307-317
65. Solomon S.C., and Head J.W. Vertical movement in mare basins: relation to mare emplacement, basin tectonics, and lunar thermal history. J. Geophys. Res. 84 (1979) 1667-1682
66. Solomon S.C., and Head J.W. Lunar mascon basins: lava filling, tectonics, and evolution of the lithosphere. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 18 (1980) 107-141
67. Solomon S.C., McNutt Jr. R.L., Gold R.E., and Domingue D.L. MESSENGER mission overview. Space Sci. Rev. 131 (2007) 3-39
68. Solomon S.C., McNutt R.L., Watters T.R., Lawrence D.J., Feldman W.C., Head J.W., Krimigis S.M., Murchie S.L., Phillips R.J., Slavin J.A., and Zuber M.T. Return to Mercury: a global perspective on MESSENGER's first Mercury flyby. Science 321 (2008) 59-62
69. Spudis P.D. The Geology of Multi-Ring Impact Basins (1993), Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK 263 pp.
70. Spudis P.D., and Guest J.E. Stratigraphy and geologic history of Mercury. In: Vilas F., Chapman C.R., and Matthews M.S. (Eds). Mercury (1988), University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Ariz. 118-164
71. Spudis, P.D., Prosser, J.G., 1984. Geologic map of the Michelangelo quadrangle of Mercury (H-12). Map I-1659, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
72. Strom R.G. Origin and relative age of lunar and mercurian intercrater plains. Phys. Earth Planet. Inter. 15 (1977) 156-172
73. Strom R.G., Trask N.J., and Guest J.E. Tectonism and volcanism on Mercury. J. Geophys. Res. 80 (1975) 2478-2507
74. Strom, R.G., Malin, M.C., Leake, M.A., 1990. Geologic map of the Michelangelo quadrangle of Mercury (H-15). Map I-2015, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
75. Strom R.G., Chapman C.R., Merline W.J., Solomon S.C., and Head J.W. Mercury cratering record viewed from MESSENGER's first flyby. Science 321 (2008) 79-81
76. Trask, N.J., Dzurisin, D., 1984. Geologic map of the Discovery quadrangle of Mercury (H-11). Map I-1658, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
77. Trask N.J., and Guest J.E. Preliminary geologic terrain map of Mercury. J. Geophys. Res. 80 (1975) 2461-2477
78. Wagner R., Head J.W., Wolf U., and Neukum G. Stratigraphic sequence and ages of volcanic units in the Gruithuisen region of the Moon. J. Geophys. Res. 107 (2002) 5104 10.1029/2002JE001844
79. Watters T.R., Murchie S.L., Robinson M.S., Solomon S.C., Denevi B.W., André S.L., and Head J.W. Emplacement and tectonic deformation of smooth plains in the Caloris basin, Mercury. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 285 (2009) 309-319 (this issue)
80. Whitford-Stark J.L., and Head J.W. Stratigraphy of Oceanus Procellarum basalts: sources and styles of emplacement. J. Geophys. Res. 85 (1980) 6579-6609
81. Widdowson M., Walsh J.N., and Subbarao K.V. The geochemistry of Indian bole horizons: palaeoenvironmental implications of Deccan intravolcanic palaeosurfaces. In: Widdowson M. (Ed). Palaeosurfaces: Recognition, Reconstruction and Palaeoenvironmental Interpretation. Special Publication vol. 120 (1997), Geological Society of London 269-281
82. Wilhelms D.E. Mercurian volcanism questioned. Icarus 28 (1976) 551-558
83. Wilhelms, D.E., McCauley, J., 1971. Geological map of the near side of the Moon. Map I-703, Misc. Investigations Ser., U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colo.
84. Wilson L., and Head J.W. Ascent and eruption of basaltic magma on the Earth and Moon. J. Geophys. Res. 86 (1981) 2971-3001
85. Wilson L., and Head J.W. Volcanism on Mercury: a new model for the history of magma ascent and eruption. Geophys. Res. Lett. 35 (2008) L23205 10.1029/2008GL035620
86. Wilson L., Scott E.D., and Head J.W. Evidence for episodicity in the magma supply to the large Tharsis volcanoes. J. Geophys. Res. 106 (2001) 1423-1433
87. Yingst R.A., and Head J.W. Volumes of lunar lava ponds in South Pole-Aitken and Orientale basins: implications for eruption conditions, transport mechanisms and magma source regions. J. Geophys. Res. 102 (1997) 10,909-10,931
88. Yingst R.A., and Head J.W. Characteristics of lunar mare deposits in Smythii and Marginus basins: implications for magma transport mechanisms. J. Geophys. Res. 105 (1998) 11,135-11,158
89. Yingst R.A., and Head J.W. Geology of mare deposits in South Pole-Aitken basin as seen by Clementine UV/VIS data. J. Geophys. Res. 104 (1999) 18,957-18,979
90. Young J.W., Mattingly T.K., and Duke C.M. Crew observations. Apollo 16 Preliminary Science Report, Special Publication SP-315 (1972), NASA, Washington, D.C. 5-1-5-6