Principal features of structure and evolution of Mercurys surface

Abstract

Interpretation of «Mariner 10» images (resolution 1,2 km on the average) enabled to compose the global geologic-morghological map of Mercury at scale of 1:4000 000, regional geologic-morphological maps at scale of 2:2000 000 and to study main regularities of structure and history of evolution of its surface.

All the history of Mercury's surface can be divided into three major eras: 1 - Pre-Marine (Ante-Mare), 2-Marine (Mare) and 3-Post-Marine (Post-Mare), which in turn are divided into 9 periods as follows: Pre-Marine-Ancient, Nebularian, Trismegistian, Marine- Neptunian, Calorisian, Ligurian, Post-Marine-Antoniadian, Kuiperian, Newest.

Successive description of landforms and structures is given which were formed during these periods, particularly Mercury's major volcano having 110 km at base and 60 km die of top caldera. The volcano has been dicovered by the author as result of interpretation of photoes and stereopairs of «Mare Martis» area (coordinates of the volcano centre: 21°S, l24°W).