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2012 Annual Science Report

Carnegie Institution of Washington Reporting  |  SEP 2011 – AUG 2012

Project 3: The Origin, Evolution, and Volatile Inventories of Terrestrial Planets

Project Summary

Project 3 focuses on understanding the nature of volatiles (principally water and gase like carbon dioxide and methane) in planetary interiors. The origin of Earth’s oceans and the initiation of plate tectonics may have related through the retention of water deep in Earth’s mantle. In this project scientists study how volatiles behave in silicate melts and Earth’s deep interior. They also study other rock planets, e.g. Mars and Mercury to understand how the presence or absence of volatiles may have lead to such disparate outcomes relative to Earth.

4 Institutions
3 Teams
182 Publications
0 Field Sites
Field Sites

Project Progress

Project 3: Origin, evolution, and volatile inventories of terrestrial planets

3.3 Chambers-Models of planet formation, initial inventory of the planets
Chambers has examined the role of giant impacts in the final stage of planetary accretion. This stage begins with tens or hundreds of lunar-to-Mars-sized planetary embryos and ends with a handful of rocky planets that move on stable orbits. Previous studies of this stage of growth have typically assumed that all collisions between planetary embryos lead to a merger. Chambers has carried out more realistic simulations that include fragmentation during impacts, and “hit and run” collisions in which embryos collide and escape from each other.

These new simulations show that nearly half of collisions are of the hit and run kind, with no net growth. However, the timescale required for an Earth-like planet to acquire most of its mass is essentially unchanged. Collision rates are higher as a result. Only as planets sweep up the last 10% of their mass do growth rates slow down compared to the case in which perfect mergers are assumed. Fragmentation and hit and run collisions both allow fractionation of rocky mantle material from elements in iron-rich cores since mantle material preferentially escapes during collisions. Small fragments tend to be silicate-rich as a result, while large planetary embryos can become somewhat enriched in siderophile (core residing) elements. However, these differences are largely erased by the end of planetary growth as most silicate-rich fragments are reaccreted by the final planets.

3.2 Inner Solar System: constraints from Mercury and Mars

Co-I Solomon is the Principal Investigator and Co-I Nittler the Deputy Principal Investigator of the MESSENGER mission to Mercury. As part of this NAI project, Solomon and Nittler are integrating the information derived from MESSENGER into a better understanding of the processes that led to the formation of the small, embryo-sized inner planets, including Mercury at about 5% of Earth’s mass and Mars at about 10%. That the bulk compositions, volatile abundances, magmatic histories, and magnetic field histories differ so strongly on these two bodies demonstrates the strongly stochastic nature of the planet-building process and probably some dependence on solar distance. Because all of these aspects of planetary evolution affect the spatial extent and temporal duration of zones of habitability at the planetary surface and within the shallow planetary subsurface, an improved understanding of the profound differences in the make-up and evolution of these two similar-size planets holds the promise of illuminating the general nature of planetary habitability on smaller Earth-like planets, including those in other planetary systems. For both Mars and Mercury, recent spacecraft observations make such a comparison particularly timely. The ongoing Mars Odyssey, Mars Express, Mars Exploration Rover, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Science Laboratory missions continue to build spectacular data sets from imaging and geochemical and geophysical remote sensing, and the recently completed Phoenix mission augmented our understanding of water and other volatiles at high Martian latitudes. The MESSENGER mission completed its three flybys of Mercury in 2008 and 2009 and was successfully inserted into orbit about Mercury on 18 March 2011. The broad goal of this task is a comparative evaluation of bulk composition, volatile inventory, magmatic history, and core dynamo history on Mars and Mercury, with a focus on aspects of those processes (water availability and circulation, organic material inventory, internal energy, magnetospheric shielding) most strongly relevant to habitability in space and time.

MESSENGER’s orbital observations of Mercury have provided the first direct measurements of Mercury’s surface composition by X-ray and gamma-ray spectrometry. These measurements indicate that the surface of Mercury is depleted in Al and Ca and enriched in Mg relative to the terrestrial and lunar crusts, has relatively low total iron and titanium concentrations (< 4 wt% and < 0.8 wt%, respectively), and is surprisingly rich in the volatile elements S, K, and Na. These compositional data suggest that Mercury formed from a similar mix of precursor materials to those that formed the other terrestrial planets, but substantially more chemically reduced. Planetary accretion models indicate that although there was radial mixing of planetesimals in the inner solar system, any radial gradients in chemical composition should have been partially preserved in the final compositions of the accreted planets. One possible explanation for the chemically reduced nature of Mercury suggested by Co-I Alexander is that Mercury may have formed from precursors enriched in anhydrous, C-rich solids analogous to cometary dust particles. Under this scenario, the other terrestrial planets would have formed from similar solids but with substantially higher abundances of water ice, resulting in more oxidizing conditions.

MESSENGER imaging has revealed that a large contiguous expanse of smooth plains, occupying more than 6% of Mercury’s surface area, covers much of Mercury high northern latitudes. These plains are clearly volcanic in origin and formed approximately contemporaneously with the volcanically emplaced smooth plains that lie within and exterior to the 1500-km-diameter Caloris basin, a result confirming that volcanism was a globally extensive process in the era immediately following the late heavy bombardment of the inner solar system. Spatially resolved composition measurements have shown that these plains are more Al-, and K-rich and Mg-, Ca-, and S-poor than the surrounding older material. This result indicates that the plains formed from chemically more evolved and cooler materials than those that formed the older terrain, consistent with the thermal history inferred from topographic and gravity-field measurements. Orbital imaging of bright deposits within impact craters on Mercury has also revealed numerous fresh-appearing, irregular, shallow, rimless depressions, known as hollows. The most likely formation mechanisms for the hollows involve recent loss of volatiles through some combination of sublimation, space weathering, outgassing, or pyroclastic volcanism. These features support the inference from compositional measurements and from observations of pyroclastic volcanic deposits elsewhere on the planet that Mercury’s interior contains higher abundances of volatile materials than predicted by most scenarios for the planet’s formation.

MESSENGER observations show that Mercury’s internal magnetic field is dominantly dipolar, has a vector moment closely aligned with the spin axis, and displays scant evidence for crustal magnetic anomalies. These results support the inference that Mercury’s magnetic field is the product of a dynamo in the planet’s fluid outer core. Mercury’s magnetic equator is located 484±11 km north of the geographic equator, i.e., the best fitting dipole is offset northward from the center of the planet by about 0.2 planetary radii. This offset leads to a substantial north-south asymmetry in the strength of the surface field and in the surface area at high latitudes with open magnetic field lines along which charged particles may readily gain access to Mercury’s surface. The high axisymmetry and strong equatorial asymmetry of the internal field point to a dynamo with characteristics different from those of Earth and other solar system planets.

Radio tracking of the MESSENGER spacecraft has allowed the gravity field of Mercury to be determined with high accuracy and together with knowledge of the spin state, this result has been used to place constraints on the density distribution within the planet. The models that best match the data include a layer of high-density material, possibly FeS, lying between the outer Fe-rich liquid core and the thin silicate mantle and crust. This interior structure is quite different from that of the other terrestrial planets and its origin is not yet well understood.

3.3 CHON in planetary interiors

In the last year, a major emphasis of CoI’s Mysen and Fogel’s efforts working with collaborator Foustoukos was on the behavior of silicate-saturated fluids coexisting with fluid-saturated silicate melts. Their physicochemical behavior was determined in-situ with the materials at temperature (up to 900˚C) and pressure (up to 2250 MPa) with samples contained in an Ir-gasketed hydrothermal diamond anvil cell (HDAC).

In these studies, Raman vibrational spectroscopy is used to determine at in-situ appropriate temperatures, pressures and redox conditions the bulk D/H molar ratio and the relative distribution of H/D isotopologues of dissolved H2, CH4 and H2O, while the samples are at the conditions of the Earth’s interior. These experiments address the role of supercritical water and hydrogen-bonding on the distribution of H/D isotopologues of H2 and CH4 (e.g. CH3D, CH2D2, CHD3), provide a way to describe in a mechanistic view the equilibrium and the kinetics of D/H exchange reactions, features that are severely lacking of theoretical or experimental measurements. Experimental results indicate that theoretical isotope fractionation models need to be revised to address thermodynamic contributions from the solvation (excess energy/entropy) of H/D isotopologues in supercritical aqueous solutions.

In systems with coexisting hydrous silicate melt and silicate-saturated aqueous fluid silicate solute in aqueous solutions governs stable isotope fraction because of silicate speciation changes. In Al-free Na-silicate systems, the enthalpy change of the (D/H) equilibrium of fluid is 3.1±0.7 kJ/mol, whereas for coexisting melt, ∆H=0 kJ/mol within error. With Al/(Al+Si)=0.1, ∆H=5.2±0.9 kJ/mol for fluid and near 0 within error for coexisting melt melt. For the exchange equilibrium between melt and fluid, H2O(melt)+D2O(fluid)=H2O(fluid)+D2O(melt), the ∆H=4.6±0.7 and 6.5±0.7 kJ/mol for the two Al-free and Al-bearing compositions, respectively, respectively. The D/H equilibration within fluids and melts and, therefore, D/H partitioning between coexisting fluid and melt reflect the influence of dissolved H2O(D2O) in melts and dissolved silicate components in H2O(D2O) fluid on their structure. The positive temperature- and pressure-dependence of silicate solubility and on silicate structure in silicate-saturated aqueous fluid governs the D/H fractionation in the fluid because increasing silicate solute concentration in fluid results in silicate polymerization. Aqueous fluid coexisting with aluminosilicate contain up to several mol of dissolved silicate components and with an equation-of-state, therefore, that differs from that of pure H2O. Structural units of Q3, Q2, Q1, and Qo type occur together in fluids, in melts, and, when outside the two-phase melt+fluid boundary, in single-phase liquids. The ∆H for the equilibrium between the Qn-species and dissolved H2O is 400±50 kJ/mol. In fluids and melts, hydrogen bonding becomes undetectable at T>500˚C. The ∆H is ~ 22 kJ/mol for aqueous fluid and ~10 kJ/mol for H2O dissolved in silicate melts.

Solubility and speciation of COHN volatiles in silicate melts and fluids at mantle pressures and temperature govern melt properties because the nature and bond energy involving these species. Methane solubility in melts, calculated as CH4, increases from 0.2 wt% to ≤0.5 wt% in the melt composition range between haploandesite and haplobasalt. The solubility increases by ~150% between the IW and MH oxygen buffers at constant temperature and pressure. Nitrogen solubility decreases from 0.98 to 0.28 wt% in the melt NBO/Si-range from 0.4 to 1.18 at fH2(IW) and decreases by about 50% between fH2(IW) and fH2(MH). Oxidized COH species tend to be more soluble than reduced species (e.g., CO2 and CH4 solubility in haplobasalt melt differs by >100% in the 1-3 GPa pressure range and N2 and NH3 by similar percentages), whereas reduced NOH species are more soluble than oxidized species at the same temperature and pressure.

The solution mechanisms of oxidized and reduced COH and NOH species, determined both on quenched samples and in-situ, at high temperature and pressure, in silicate melts also differ. In the C-O-H-silicate system at redox conditions of the NNO oxygen buffer and more oxidizing, carbon exists in melts as carbonate complexes and in the fluid as CO2. From diamond cell (HDAC) experiments conducted in-situ from ambient temperature and pressure to 800˚C and 1435 MPa under redox conditions near those of the IW buffer, the dominant fluid species in the fluid are CH4, H2, and H2O. In coexisting melt, CH3 – groups linked to the silicate melt structure via Si-CH3 bonding exist together with molecular CH4. There is no evidence of changes in hydrocarbon species or polymerization with temperature and pressure. Oxidized nitrogen is dissolved as molecular N2, whereas under reducing conditions (near the IW buffer), molecular NH3 and NH2-groups bonded to Si coexist. Their abundance ratio is silicate melt composition dependent.

Abundance ratios of C, H, and N-species in melts and coexisting fluids govern abundance ratio variations.

Changing abundance of volatiles dissolved in silicate melts in molecular form and as structural complexes that form bonds with the silicate melt structure is an important factor that can affect stable isotope fractionation during melting and crystallization at high pressure and temperature. These variations also govern other melt properties that depend on silicate melt structure.

PI Cody working with Post Doctoral Fellow Wang and CoI Mysen have been applying D and H solid state NMR to study intramolecular isotope fractionation in silicate glasses quenched from melts. We find very large differences in the affinity of D or H in different molecular environments within the quenched melts. This leads to enormous intramolecular isotope fractionation. Such fractionation arises not due to any thermal equilibrium effects or kinetic isotope effects, but rather due to partial molar volume differences between OH and OD species. This work was presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall meeting and is being written up for publication.

CoI’s Goncharov and Hemeley used Raman and visible transmission spectroscopy to investigate dense hydrogen (deuterium) up to 315 (275) GPa at 300 K. At around 200 GPa, we observe the phase transformation, which we attribute to phase III, previously observed only at low temperatures. This is succeeded at 220 GPa by a reversible transformation to a new phase, IV, characterized by the simultaneous appearance of the second vibrational fundamental and new low-frequency phonon excitations and a dramatic softening and broadening of the first vibrational fundamental mode. The optical transmission spectra of phase IV show an overall increase of absorption and a closing band gap which reaches 1.8 eV at 315 GPa. Analysis of the Raman spectra suggests that phase IV is a mixture of graphene-like layers, consisting of elongated H2 dimers experiencing large pairing fluctuations, and unbound H2 molecules. In brief, a new phase (IV) of solid dense hydrogen was discovered (phase III was reported 24 years ago, in 1988, Hemley & Mao, PRL). This phase has mixed interatomic bonding scheme.

3.4 Martian Organic Carbon

This year CoI Steele along with Mysen, Fogel and a number of collaborators have had two important papers published on reduced organic carbon compounds on Mars.

In the first study we use confocal Raman imaging spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy to study the martian meteorite Allan Hills (ALH) 84001, which is an ancient sample (4.1 Ga) of the martian crust previously reported to contain mineral assemblages within carbonate globules (carbonate + magnetite), previously interpreted as potential relict signatures of ancient martian biota. Models for an abiologic origin for these assemblages required the presence of graphite, and this study is the first report of graphite within ALH84001. The graphite occurs as hollow spheres, filaments, and highly crystalline particles in intimate association with magnetite in the carbonate globules. In addition to supporting an abiologic origin for the carbonate globule assemblages in ALH84001, this work proves that there is an inventory of reduced carbon phases on Mars that has not yet been thoroughly investigated. ALH84001 hosts an indigenous reduced carbon component composed of polymorphs of graphite and polyaromatic platelets constituting the first concrete evidence of a reduced carbon phase on Mars. It is not possible to infer whether these formed during the initial formation event of the carbonate globules or from a later impact related event; however it is clear that the co-existence of magnetite with graphite at highly spatially resolved scales is consistent with the formation of these minerals through abiotic processes. Understanding the textural and morphological context of any reduced martian carbon is fundamental to interpreting the petrologic or biologic history of that carbon. Given that the Mars Science Laboratory mission is targeted at Gale crater, the questions raised as to the formation of reduced carbon species from ground water interactions or from impact processes should be measurable by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument.

In the second study we report the results of confocal Raman imaging spectroscopy on eleven Martian meteorites, spanning ~4.2 Ga of Martian history. Ten of the meteorites contain abiotic macromolecular carbon (MMC) phases detected in association with small oxide grains included within high temperature minerals. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected along with MMC phases in Dar al Gani 476. The association of organic carbon within magmatic minerals indicates Martian magmas favored precipitation of reduced carbon species during crystallization. Our results imply that primary organic carbon is nearly ubiquitous in Martian basaltic rocks. It formed through igneous, not biological, processes and was delivered over most of Martian geologic history to the surface as recently as the late Amazonian. The ubiquitous distribution of abiotic organic carbon in Martian igneous rocks is important for understanding the Martian carbon cycle and has implications for future missions to detect possible past Martian life. Fore instance, a positive detection of organics (especially PAHs) on Mars by Mars Science Laboratory, even if coupled with isotopically “light” δ13C values, may be detecting this abtiotic reservoir. Furthermore, the origin of the carbon in mantle rocks is strong evidence that this carbon was indigenous to the Martian interior because the absence of extensive plate tectonics would have prevented exchange between surface and near surface carbon reservoirs. Consequently, the storage of carbon within Mars occurred very early in its history, at the time of planet-wide differentiation, which has also been suggested for hydrogen storage on Mars. This process is likely not unique to Mars and could have been widely responsible for the production and delivery of abiotic organic carbon to the surfaces of the other terrestrial planets including the early Earth.

3.5 Early Earth recycling processes

The goal of this task, undertaken by Co-investigator Shirey, is to extend the understanding surface geological processes seen on Earth’s continents through the 150 km depths of their continental lithospheric mantle keels into the convecting mantle below and back in time. Such recycling is a fundamental geodynamic process that has occurred on Earth in some form since it accreted. A major advance made previously was the recognition of the onset of eclogite capture in the Archean cratonic keels and its recognition as a marker for tectonic change in geodynamic style on the Earth. Since then, with non-NAI collaborators M VanKranendonk and S H Richardson, Shirey has been investigating the implications of this geodynamic shift for the composition, structure and heat budget of the Earth and how continental crust is constructed during the transition to more traditional plate tectonics.

This endeavor requires data and insights from the convecting mantle, the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and the crust. Geochemical studies of silicate and sulfide inclusions in cratonic macrodiamonds characterize the SCLM through time. Diamonds >3.2 Ga contain exclusively peridotitic (harzburgitic) silicate and sulfide inclusions whereas diamonds <3.0 Ga contain inclusions that are predominantly eclogitic and to a lesser extent lherzolitic. Similarly, >3.0 Ga kimberlite-borne eclogite xenoliths are largely absent in the SCLM rock record, whereas they are common thereafter. Therefore, significant differences exist globally between >3.2 Ga versus <3.0 Ga crust and SCLM. This age has been proposed as a boundary between different geodynamic regimes on Earth, marking the onset of plate tectonics. The lack of early eclogite implies an absence of steep slab subduction. Archean crust also records major differences across the 3.0–3.2 Ga interval. Prior to 3.2 Ga, crust grew by vertical accretion over upwelling mantle in long-lived plateaux floored by extremely depleted residual harzburgitic SCLM or via slab melting and crustal imbrication over shallow subduction zones (e.g. West Greenland), whereas lateral accretion, allochthonous greenstone belt growth and calcalkaline magmatic products of mantle wedge melting emerge only after 3.2 Ga. This temporal and geochemical change can be explained as the result of the mantle temperature reaching a maximum at about 3 Ga with a step-wise shift in tectonic style from rapid mantle convection, small plates, shallow subduction, and localized recycling >3.2 Ga, followed by large plates, steep subduction, and full upper mantle recycling <3.0 Ga. These geodynamic changes had profound effects on mantle evolution, crustal growth, and geochemical cycles of heat-producing elements.

3.6 Hazen-Diversification of continental mineralogy

The Hadean Eon, encompassing Earth’s first 700 million years, was a time of significant planetary evolution. Nevertheless, CoI Hazen and collaborators estimate that prebiotic Earth’s near-surface environment held no more than about 410 different rock-forming or accessory mineral species that were widely distributed and/or volumetrically significant. This Hadean mineralogical parsimony, perhaps comparable to the mineral diversity of the near-surface environment of Mars today, is a consequence of the relatively limited modes of mineral paragenesis prior to 3.85 Ga compared to the last 3.0 billion years. Dominant Hadean Eon mineralizing processes include the evolution of a diverse suite of intrusive and extrusive igneous lithologies; hydrothermal alteration over a wide temperature range, notably serpentinization; authigenesis in marine sediments; and impact-related processes, including shock mineralization, creation of marginal hydrothermal zones, and excavation of deep metamorphosed terrains. On the other hand, the Hadean Eon may have been lacking in mineralization associated with plate tectonic processes, such as subduction zone volcanism and associated fluid-rock interactions, which result in massive sulfide deposition; convergent boundary orogenesis and consequent extensive granitoid-rooted continental landmasses; and the selection and concentration of pegmatophile elements in complex pegmatites with hundreds of accompanying minerals. The dramatic mineralogical consequences of life are reflected in the absence of Hadean biomineralization; for example, the lack of extensive carbonate deposits restricted the development of skarn and cave minerals prior to 3.85 Ga. Most importantly, it was not until after the establishment via photosynthesis of significant near-surface redox gradients that supergene alteration, redox-controlled ore deposition, and subaerial weathering in an oxidizing environment could diversify Earth’s near-surface mineralogy. These post-Hadean processes may be responsible for more than 4000 of the >4600 known mineral species. Any scenario for life’s origins that invokes minerals as agents of molecular synthesis, selection, protection or organization must take into account the limited mineralogical repertoire of the time.

Publications

  • Anderson, B. J., Johnson, C. L., Korth, H., Purucker, M. E., Winslow, R. M., Slavin, J. A., … Zurbuchen, T. H. (2011). The Global Magnetic Field of Mercury from MESSENGER Orbital Observations. Science, 333(6051), 1859–1862. doi:10.1126/science.1211001

  • Baker, D. M. H., Head, J. W., Schon, S. C., Ernst, C. M., Prockter, L. M., Murchie, S. L., … Strom, R. G. (2011). The transition from complex crater to peak-ring basin on Mercury: New observations from MESSENGER flyby data and constraints on basin formation models. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1932–1948. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.05.010

  • Blewett, D. T., Chabot, N. L., Denevi, B. W., Ernst, C. M., Head, J. W., Izenberg, N. R., … Hurwitz, D. M. (2011). Hollows on Mercury: MESSENGER Evidence for Geologically Recent Volatile-Related Activity. Science, 333(6051), 1856–1859. doi:10.1126/science.1211681

  • Chabot, N. L., Ernst, C. M., Denevi, B. W., Harmon, J. K., Murchie, S. L., Blewett, D. T., … Zhong, E. D. (2012). Areas of permanent shadow in Mercury’s south polar region ascertained by MESSENGER orbital imaging. Geophysical Research Letters, 39(9), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012gl051526

  • Evans, L. G., Peplowski, P. N., Rhodes, E. A., Lawrence, D. J., McCoy, T. J., Nittler, L. R., … Goldsten, J. O. (2012). Major-element abundances on the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004178

  • Fassett, C. I., Head, J. W., Baker, D. M. H., Zuber, M. T., Smith, D. E., Neumann, G. A., … Preusker, F. (2012). Large impact basins on Mercury: Global distribution, characteristics, and modification history from MESSENGER orbital data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004154

  • Foustoukos, D. I. (2012). Metastable equilibrium in the C-H-O system: Graphite deposition in crustal fluids. American Mineralogist, 97(8-9), 1373–1380. doi:10.2138/am.2012.4086

  • Foustoukos, D. I., & Mysen, B. O. (2012). D/H fractionation in the H2–H2O system at supercritical water conditions: Compositional and hydrogen bonding effects. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 86, 88–102. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2012.03.003

  • Foustoukos, D. I., & Mysen, B. O. (2013). H/D methane isotopologues dissolved in magmatic fluids: Stable hydrogen isotope fractionations in the Earth’s interior. American Mineralogist, 98(5-6), 946–954. doi:10.2138/am.2013.4419

  • Freed, A. M., Blair, D. M., Watters, T. R., Klimczak, C., Byrne, P. K., Solomon, S. C., … Melosh, H. J. (2012). On the origin of graben and ridges within and near volcanically buried craters and basins in Mercury’s northern plains. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004119

  • Goncharov, A. F. (2012). Raman Spectroscopy at High Pressures. International Journal of Spectroscopy, 2012, 1–16. doi:10.1155/2012/617528

  • Head, J. W., Chapman, C. R., Strom, R. G., Fassett, C. I., Denevi, B. W., Blewett, D. T., … Nittler, L. R. (2011). Flood Volcanism in the Northern High Latitudes of Mercury Revealed by MESSENGER. Science, 333(6051), 1853–1856. doi:10.1126/science.1211997

  • Howie, R. T., Guillaume, C. L., Scheler, T., Goncharov, A. F., & Gregoryanz, E. (2012). Mixed Molecular and Atomic Phase of Dense Hydrogen. Physical Review Letters, 108(12), None. doi:10.1103/physrevlett.108.125501

  • Kerber, L., Head, J. W., Blewett, D. T., Solomon, S. C., Wilson, L., Murchie, S. L., … Domingue, D. L. (2011). The global distribution of pyroclastic deposits on Mercury: The view from MESSENGER flybys 1–3. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1895–1909. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.03.020

  • Klimczak, C., Watters, T. R., Ernst, C. M., Freed, A. M., Byrne, P. K., Solomon, S. C., … Head, J. W. (2012). Deformation associated with ghost craters and basins in volcanic smooth plains on Mercury: Strain analysis and implications for plains evolution. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004100

  • Lawrence, D. J., Harmon, J. K., Feldman, W. C., Goldsten, J. O., Paige, D. A., Peplowski, P. N., … Solomon, S. C. (2011). Predictions of MESSENGER Neutron Spectrometer measurements for Mercury’s north polar region. Planetary and Space Science, 59(13), 1665–1669. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.07.001

  • Lee, S. K., Yi, Y. S., Cody, G. D., Mibe, K., Fei, Y., & Mysen, B. O. (2012). Effect of Network Polymerization on the Pressure-Induced Structural Changes in Sodium Aluminosilicate Glasses and Melts: 27 Al and 17 O Solid-State NMR Study. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 116(3), 2183–2191. doi:10.1021/jp206765s

  • Margot, J-L., Peale, S. J., Solomon, S. C., Hauck, S. A., Ghigo, F. D., Jurgens, R. F., … Campbell, D. B. (2012). Mercury’s moment of inertia from spin and gravity data. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004161

  • Mysen, B. (2012). High-pressure and high-temperature titanium solution mechanisms in silicate-saturated aqueous fluids and hydrous silicate melts. American Mineralogist, 97(7), 1241–1251. doi:10.2138/am.2012.4084

  • Mysen, B. (2013). Hydrogen isotope fractionation between coexisting hydrous melt and silicate-saturated aqueous fluid: An experimental study in situ at high pressure and temperature. American Mineralogist, 98(2-3), 376–386. doi:10.2138/am.2013.4247

  • Mysen, B. O. (2011). Amorphous Materials: An experimental study of phosphorous and aluminosilicate speciation in and partitioning between aqueous fluids and silicate melts determined in-situ at high temperature and pressure. American Mineralogist, 96(10), 1636–1649. doi:10.2138/am.2011.3728

  • Mysen, B. O. (2012). Silicate-COH melt and fluid structure, their physicochemical properties, and partitioning of nominally refractory oxides between melts and fluids. Lithos, 148, 228–246. doi:10.1016/j.lithos.2012.06.005

  • Mysen, B. O., Kumamoto, K., Cody, G. D., & Fogel, M. L. (2011). Solubility and solution mechanisms of C–O–H volatiles in silicate melt with variable redox conditions and melt composition at upper mantle temperatures and pressures. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 75(20), 6183–6199. doi:10.1016/j.gca.2011.07.035

  • Nittler, L. R., Starr, R. D., Weider, S. Z., McCoy, T. J., Boynton, W. V., Ebel, D. S., … Sprague, A. L. (2011). The Major-Element Composition of Mercury’s Surface from MESSENGER X-ray Spectrometry. Science, 333(6051), 1847–1850. doi:10.1126/science.1211567

  • Oberst, J., Elgner, S., Turner, F. S., Perry, M. E., Gaskell, R. W., Zuber, M. T., … Solomon, S. C. (2011). Radius and limb topography of Mercury obtained from images acquired during the MESSENGER flybys. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1918–1924. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.07.003

  • Ojwang, J. G. O., Stewart McWilliams, R., Ke, X., & Goncharov, A. F. (2012). Melting and dissociation of ammonia at high pressure and high temperature. J. Chem. Phys., 137(6), 064507. doi:10.1063/1.4742340

  • Peplowski, P. N., Blewett, D. T., Denevi, B. W., Evans, L. G., Lawrence, D. J., Nittler, L. R., … Solomon, S. C. (2011). Mapping iron abundances on the surface of Mercury: Predicted spatial resolution of the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer. Planetary and Space Science, 59(13), 1654–1658. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.06.001

  • Peplowski, P. N., Evans, L. G., Hauck, S. A., McCoy, T. J., Boynton, W. V., Gillis-Davis, J. J., … Stockstill-Cahill, K. R. (2011). Radioactive Elements on Mercury’s Surface from MESSENGER: Implications for the Planet’s Formation and Evolution. Science, 333(6051), 1850–1852. doi:10.1126/science.1211576

  • Peplowski, P. N., Lawrence, D. J., Rhodes, E. A., Sprague, A. L., McCoy, T. J., Denevi, B. W., … Weider, S. Z. (2012). Variations in the abundances of potassium and thorium on the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004141

  • Perry, M. E., Kahan, D. S., Barnouin, O. S., Ernst, C. M., Solomon, S. C., Zuber, M. T., … Asmar, S. W. (2011). Measurement of the radius of Mercury by radio occultation during the MESSENGER flybys. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1925–1931. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.07.022

  • Preusker, F., Oberst, J., Head, J. W., Watters, T. R., Robinson, M. S., Zuber, M. T., & Solomon, S. C. (2011). Stereo topographic models of Mercury after three MESSENGER flybys. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1910–1917. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.07.005

  • Rhodes, E. A., Evans, L. G., Nittler, L. R., Starr, R. D., Sprague, A. L., Lawrence, D. J., … Solomon, S. C. (2011). Analysis of MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer data from the Mercury flybys. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1829–1841. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.07.018

  • Schon, S. C., Head, J. W., Baker, D. M. H., Ernst, C. M., Prockter, L. M., Murchie, S. L., & Solomon, S. C. (2011). Eminescu impact structure: Insight into the transition from complex crater to peak-ring basin on Mercury. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1949–1959. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.02.003

  • Smith, D. E., Zuber, M. T., Phillips, R. J., Solomon, S. C., Hauck, S. A., Lemoine, F. G., … Taylor, A. H. (2012). Gravity Field and Internal Structure of Mercury from MESSENGER. Science, 336(6078), 214–217. doi:10.1126/science.1218809

  • Starr, R. D., Schriver, D., Nittler, L. R., Weider, S. Z., Byrne, P. K., Ho, G. C., … Trávníček, P. M. (2012). MESSENGER detection of electron-induced X-ray fluorescence from Mercury’s surface. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004118

  • Strom, R. G., Banks, M. E., Chapman, C. R., Fassett, C. I., Forde, J. A., Head, J. W., … Solomon, S. C. (2011). Mercury crater statistics from MESSENGER flybys: Implications for stratigraphy and resurfacing history. Planetary and Space Science, 59(15), 1960–1967. doi:10.1016/j.pss.2011.03.018

  • Watters, T. R., Solomon, S. C., Klimczak, C., Freed, A. M., Head, J. W., Ernst, C. M., … Byrne, P. K. (2012). Extension and contraction within volcanically buried impact craters and basins on Mercury. Geology, 40(12), 1123–1126. doi:10.1130/g33725.1

  • Weider, S. Z., Nittler, L. R., Starr, R. D., McCoy, T. J., Stockstill-Cahill, K. R., Byrne, P. K., … Solomon, S. C. (2012). Chemical heterogeneity on Mercury’s surface revealed by the MESSENGER X-Ray Spectrometer. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 117(E12), n/a–n/a. doi:10.1029/2012je004153

  • Zuber, M. T., Smith, D. E., Phillips, R. J., Solomon, S. C., Neumann, G. A., Hauck, S. A., … Yang, D. (2012). Topography of the Northern Hemisphere of Mercury from MESSENGER Laser Altimetry. Science, 336(6078), 217–220. doi:10.1126/science.1218805

  • Anderson, B.J., Johnson, C.L., Korth, H., Purucker, M.E., Solomon, S.C. & McNutt, R.L., Jr.  (2011).  The global-scale magnetic field of Mercury.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-151.  doi:10.1126/science.1211001
  • Anderson, B.J., Johnson, C.L., Korth, H., Purucker, M.E., Winslow, R.M., Slavin, J.A., Solomon, S.C., McNutt, R.L., Raines, J.M. & Zurbuchen, T.H.  (2011).  Structure of Mercury’s global magnetic field determined from MESSENGER orbital observations.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P44A-04.
  • Baker, D.M.H., Head, J.W., Prockter, L.M. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Mercury’s peak-ring basin population and the formation of peak rings: Observations from MESSENGER flyby and orbital data.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-12, p. 359, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Baker, D.M.H., Head, J.W., Prockter, L.M., Fassett, C.I., Neumann, G.A., Smith, D.E., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T., Oberst, J., Preusker, F. & Gwinner, K.  (2012).  New morphometric measurements of peak-ring basins on Mercury and the Moon: Results from the Mercury Laser Altimeter and Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1238.
  • Balcerski, J.A., Hauck, S.A., Barnouin, O.S., Neumann, G.A., Oberst, J., Phillips, R.J., Preusker, F., Solomon, S.C. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Crater floor slope as a measure of long-wavelength changes in topography on Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1579.
  • Balcerski, J.A., Hauck, S.A., Sun, P., Klimczak, C., Byrne, P.K., Dombard, A.J., Barnouin, O.S., Zuber, M.T., Phillips, R.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Tilted crater floors: Recording the history of Mercury’s long-wavelength deformation.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1850.
  • Banks, M.E., Watters, T.R., Strom, R.G., Solomon, S.C., Braden, S.E., Chapman, C.R., Xiao, Z. & Barlow, N.G.  (2012).  Stratigraphic relationships between lobate scarps and young impact craters on Mercury: Implications for the duration of lobate scarp formation.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2684.
  • Barnouin, O.S., Ernst, C.M., Neumann, G.A., Chabot, N.L., Murchie, S.L., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Characterizing the geomorphology of fresh impact craters on Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41F-06.
  • Beach, M.J., Head, J.W., Ostrach, L.R., Robinson, M.S., Denevi, B.W. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  The influence of pre-existing topography on the distribution of impact melt on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1335.
  • Becker, K.J., Weller, L.A., Edmundson, K.L., Becker, T.L., Robinson, M.S. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Global controlled mosaic of Mercury from MESSENGER orbital images.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1589.
  • Becker, K.J., Weller, L.A., Edmundson, K.L., Becker, T.L., Robinson, M.S., Enns, A.C. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Global controlled mosaic of Mercury from MESSENGER orbital images.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2654.
  • Blair, D.M., Freed, A.M., Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C., Solomon, S.C., Watters, T.R., Prockter, L.M., Melosh, H.J. & Zuber, M.T.  (2012).  Thermally induced graben in peak-ring basins and ghost craters on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2501.
  • Blair, D.M., Freed, A.M., Melosh, H.J., Solomon, S.C., Prockter, L.M., Watters, T.R. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Graben on the floors of Mercury’s medium-sized impact basins: Extension from cooling.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1595.
  • Blewett, D.T., Chabot, N.L., Denevi, B.W., Ernst, C.M., Izenberg, N.R., Xiao, Z., Baker, D.M.H., Braden, S.E., Head, J.W. & Murchie, S.L.  (2011).  MESSENGER views of unusual bright-haloed depressions on Mercury: Possible recent volatile-related activity.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 100-5, p. 266, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Blewett, D.T., Chabot, N.L., Denevi, B.W., Ernst, C.M., Murchie, S.L., Izenberg, N.R., Xiao, Z., Vaughan, W.M. & Head, J.W.  (2012).  Spectral and morphological studies of Mercury’s hollows.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1329.
  • Blewett, D.T., Fontanella, N.R., Peel, S.E., Zhong, E.D., Pashai, P., Chabot, N.L., Denevi, B.W., Ernst, C.M., Izenberg, N.R., Murchie, S.L., Xiao, Z., Braden, S.E., Baker, D.M.H., Hurwitz, D.M., Head, J.W., McCoy, T.J., Nittler, L.R. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Hollows on Mercury: Bright-haloed depressions imply recent endogenic activity.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-07.
  • Braden, S.E., Denevi, B.W., Robinson, M.S., Blewett, D.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Reflectance of immature materials on Mercury and the Moon.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1585.
  • Braden, S.E., Robinson, M.S., Denevi, B.W. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Reflectance of Mercury and the Moon.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-1737.
  • Braden, S.E., Robinson, M.S., Denevi, B.W. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Immature craters mature faster on Mercury than on the Moon.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2872.
  • Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C., Denevi, B.W., Solomon, S.C., Nittler, L.R., Watters, T.R., Enns, A.C., Head, J.W., Hurwitz, D.M. & Baker, D.M.H.  (2011).  Analysis of surface volcanism on Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1590.
  • Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C., Denevi, B.W., Watters, T.R., Solomon, S.C., Enns, A., Head, J.W., Hurwitz, D.M. & Baker, D.M.H.  (2011).  Surface lava flow features on Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-7, p. 358, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Byrne, P.K., Sengör, A.M.C., Klimczak, C., Solomon, S.C. & Watters, T.R.  (2012).  Large-scale crustal deformation on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2118.
  • Byrne, P.K., Watters, T.R., Murchie, S.L., Klimczak, C., Solomon, S.C., Prockter, L.M. & Freed, A.M.  (2012).  A tectonic survey of the Caloris basin, Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1722.
  • Chabot, N.L., Blewett, D.T., Denevi, B.W., Ernst, C.M. & Murchie, S.L.  (2011).  Illumination conditions near Mercury’s south pole.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-273.
  • Chabot, N.L., Ernst, C.M., Harmon, J.K., Murchie, S.L., Solomon, S.C., Blewett, D.T. & Denevi, B.W.  (2012).  Craters hosting radar-bright deposits in Mercury’s north polar region.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1476.
  • Chambers, J.E.  (2012).  Late Stage Planet Formation with Realistic Collisions.  AAS Division of Planetary Scieinces, Reno NV.
  • Chapman, C.R., Merline, W.J., Marchi, S., Prockter, L.M., Fassett, C.I., Head, J.W., Solomon, S.C. & Xiao, Z.  (2012).  The young inner plains of Mercury’s Rachmaninoff basin reconsidered.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1607.
  • Chapman, C.R., Merline, W.J., Ostrach, L.R., Xiao, Z., Solomon, S.C. & Head, J.W.  (2011).  Small craters (secondaries) on Mercury’s northern plains.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-1497.
  • Chapman, C.R., Merline, W.J., Ostrach, L.R., Xiao, Z., Solomon, S.C., Head, J.W. & Whitten, J.L.  (2011).  Statistics of morphologies of small primary and secondary craters on Mercury’s northern plains.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-13, p. 359, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Denevi, B.W., Robinson, M.S., Blewett, D.T., Murchie, S.L., Chabot, N.L., Ernst, C.M., Solomon, S.C. & Head, J.W.  (2011).  Origin and significance of plains on Mercur.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-948.
  • Denevi, B.W., Robinson, M.S., Murchie, S.L., Barnouin, O.S., Blewett, D.T., Chabot, N.L., Ernst, C.M., Head, J.W., Ostrach, L.R., Solomon, S.C. & Watters, T.R.  (2011).  The role of plains volcanism in the formation of Mercury’s crust.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-09.
  • Dickson, J.L., Head, J.W., Whitten, J.L., Fassett, C.I., Neumann, G.A., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T. & Phillips, R.J.  (2012).  Topographic rise in the northern smooth plains of Mercury: Characteristics from MESSENGER image and altimetry data and candidate modes of origin.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2249.
  • D’Amore, M., Helbert, J., Maturilli, A., Head, J.W., Sprague, A.L., Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., McClintock, W.E., Vilas, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Global classification of MESSENGER spectral reflectance data and a detailed look at Rudaki plains.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1413.
  • D’Amore, M., Helbert, J., Maturilli, A., Sprague, A.L., Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., McClintock, W.E., Vilas, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Surface compositional heterogeneity on Mercury inferred from MESSENGER spectral measurements.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-817.
  • D’Incecco, P., Head, J.W., D’Amore, M., Maturilli, A., Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., Domingue, D.L., McClintock, W.E. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Kuiper crater on Mercury – An opportunity to study recent surface weathering trends with MESSENGER.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1815.
  • Ebel, D.S., Alexander, C.M.O.D., Hauck, S.A., Lawrence, D.J., Nittler, L.R., Peplowski, P.N., Solomon, S.C., Sprague, A.L., Starr, R.D. & Stewart, S.T.  (2011).  MESSENGER: Implications for Mercury formation hypotheses.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-5, p. 358, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Edmundson, K.L., Weller, L.A., Becker, K.J., Becker, T.L., Rosiek, M.R., Robinson, M.S. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Preliminary photogrammetric control of MESSENGER orbital images of Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 100-6, p. 267, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Elgner, S., Oberst, J., Perry, M.E., Zuber, M.T., Robinson, M.S. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Analysis of Mercury limb profiles from MESSENGER images: Results from least-squares adjustments of crossover heights.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1469.
  • Ernst, C.M., Murchie, S.L., Barnouin, O.S., Chabot, N.L., Denevi, B.W., Head, J.W., Klimczak, C., Prockter, L.M., Solomon, S.C. & Watters, T.R.  (2011).  Assessing the crustal stratigraphy of Mercury: Results from MESSENGER orbital observations.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-08.
  • Ernst, C.M., Murchie, S.L., Barnouin, O.S., Chabot, N.L., Head, J.W., Prockter, L.M., Solomon, S.C. & Watters, T.R.  (2001).  Thickness of volcanic fill in impact basins on Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-8, p. 358, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo., 2011 (CD-ROM).
  • Evans, L.G., Peplowski, P.N., Hauck, S.A., McCoy, T.J., Boynton, W.V., Ebel, D.S., Goldsten, J.O., Hamara, D.K., Lawrence, D.J., McNutt, R.L., Rhodes, E.A., Nittler, L.R., Sprague, A.L., Solomon, S.C. & Starr, R.D.  (2011).  MESSENGER measurements of radioactive elements on Mercury: Implications for the planet’s formation and evolution.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-05.
  • Evans, L.G., Peplowski, P.N., Hauck, S.A., McCoy, T.J., Boynton, W.V., Goldsten, J.O., Hamara, D.K., Rhodes, E.A., Sprague, A.L. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Radioactive elements measured on Mercury by MESSENGER: Implications for the planet’s formation and evolution.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-4, p. 357, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Fassett, C.I., Denevi, B.W., Whitten, J.L., Goudge, T.A., Baker, D.M.H., Hurwitz, D.M., Ostrach, L.R., Xiao, Z., Byrne, P.K. & Klimczak, C.  (2011).  Widespread and voluminous volcanism in the northern lowlands of Mercury revealed by MESSENGER.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-6, p. 358, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Fassett, C.I., Dickson, J.L., Head, J.W., Hurwitz, D.M., Kadish, S.J., Mazarico, E.M., Neumann, G.A., Smith, D.E., Solomon, S.C., Strom, R.G., Whitten, J.L. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  The chronology of basin formation and subsequent volcanism on the Moon and Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P33G-03.
  • Fassett, C.I., Head, J.W., Baker, D.M.H., Chapman, C.R., Murchie, S.L., Neumann, G.A., Oberst, J., Prockter, L.M., Smith, D.E., Solomon, S.C., Strom, R.G., Xiao, Z. & Zuber, M.T.  (2012).  Distribution, statistics, and resurfacing of large impact basins on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1428.
  • Foustoukos, D.I. & Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  Bonding surprise.  Carnegie Institution of Washington, Year Book.  Vol. 10/11.  Washington DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington.
  • Foustoukos, D.I. & Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  D/H fractionation between C-H species in crustal fluids: An in-situ experimental study.  ISI 2012 The Sixth International Sumposium on Isotopomers,.  Washington DC.
  • Foustoukos, D.I. & Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  Hydrogen isotope fractionations between C-H-O species in magmatic fluids.  AGU Fall Meeting.  San Francisco.
  • Foustoukos, D.I.  (2012).  Metastable equilibrium in the C-H-O system: Graphite deposition in crustal fluids.  Fourteenth Annual V. M. Goldschmidt Conference.  Montreal.
  • Goudge, T.A., Head, J.W., Kerber, L., Blewett, D.T., Denevi, B.W., Murchie, S.L., Izenberg, N.R., McClintock, W.E., Holsclaw, G.M., Domingue, D.L., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Xiao, Z., Strom, R.G., Helbert, J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Global inventory and characterization of pyroclastic deposits on Mercury: New insights into pyroclastic activity from MESSENGER orbital data.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1325.
  • Gwinner, K., Head, J.W., Oberst, J., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Xiao, Z., Strom, R.G., Preusker, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Morphology of pit craters on Mercury from stereo-derived topography and implications for pit crater formation.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1991.
  • Hauck, S.A., Solomon, S.C., Lemoine, F.G., Margot, J-L., Mazarico, E.M., Peale, S.J., Perry, M.E., Phillips, R.J., Smith, D.E. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Internal structure of Mercury: Constraints from MESSENGER.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1580.
  • Hauck, S.A., Solomon, S.C., Margot, J-L., Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E., Peale, S.J., Perry, M.E., Phillips, R.J., Smith, D.E. & Zuber, M.T.  (2012).  Mercury’s internal structure as constrained by MESSENGER observations.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1170.
  • Hauck, S.A., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Johnson, C.L., Phillips, R.J., Lemoine, F.G., Margot, J-L., Neumann, G.A., Peale, S.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  The geophysics of Mercury: MESSENGER’s view from orbit.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-2, p. 357, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Head, J.W., Chapman, C.R., Strom, R.G., Fassett, C.I., Denevi, B.W., Blewett, D.T., Ernst, C.M., Watters, T.R., Solomon, S.C., Murchie, S.L., Prockter, L.M., Chabot, N.L., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Whitten, J.L., Goudge, T.A., Baker, D.M.H., Hurwitz, D.M., Ostrach, L.R., Xiao, Z., Merline, W.J., Kerber, L., Dickson, J.L., Oberst, J., Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C. & Nittler, L.R.  (2011).  Widespread and voluminous flood volcanism in the northern high latitudes of Mercury revealed by MESSENGER: Relation to global volcanic processes.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43A-10.
  • Head, J.W., Solomon, S.C., Fassett, C.I., Murchie, S.L., Prockter, L.M., Blewett, D.T., Denevi, B.W., Watters, T.R., Strom, R.G., Chapman, C.R., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Oberst, J., Gwinner, K., Ernst, C.M., Ostrach, L.R., Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C. & Xiao, Z.  (2012).  Effusive and explosive volcanism on Mercury from MESSENGER orbital observations.  Geophys. Res. Abstracts, 14, abstract EGU2012-9925-3.
  • Head, J.W., Solomon, S.C., Fassett, C.I., Murchie, S.L., Prockter, L.M., Robinson, M.S., Blewett, D.T., Denevi, B.W., Watters, T.R., Whitten, J.L., Goudge, T.A., Baker, D.M.H., Hurwitz, D.M., Byrne, P.K. & Klimczak, C.  (2012).  Effusive volcanism on Mercury from MESSENGER mission data: Nature and significance for lithospheric stress state and mantle convection.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1451.
  • Helbert, J., D’Amore, M., Maturilli, A., Izenberg, N.R., Klima, R.L., Holsclaw, G.M., McClintock, W.E., Sprague, A.L., Vilas, F., Domingue, D.L., D’Incecco, P., Head, J.W., Gillis-Davis, J.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  High-temperature laboratory measurements in support of a statistical analysis of spectral data from MESSENGER.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1587.
  • Helbert, J., D’Amore, M., Maturilli, A., Sprague, A.L. & Izenberg, N.R.  (2011).  Bridging from MESSENGER to BepiColombo – surface composition from visual and near-infrared observations and simulation of thermal infrared data.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-764.
  • Hurwitz, D.M., Head, J.W., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Neumann, G.A., Strom, R.G., Fassett, C.I., Denevi, B.W., Blewett, D.T., Ernst, C.M., Watters, T.R., Solomon, S.C., Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C., Murchie, S.L., M Prockter, L., Chabot, N.L., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Whitten, J.L., Goudge, T.A., Baker, D.M.H., Ostrach, L.R., Xiao, Z., Merline, W.J., Dickson, D.L., Oberst, J. & Nittler, L.R.  (2011).  Lava erosion on Mercury: Model results using new observations from MESSENGER.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1591.
  • Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., Domingue, D.L., McClintock, W.E., Blewett, D.T., Kochte, M.C., Helbert, J., Sprague, A.L., Vilas, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Surface reflectance of Mercury from MESSENGER orbital observations.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-860.
  • Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., Domingue, D.L., McClintock, W.E., Klima, R.L., Blewett, D.T., Helbert, J., Sprague, A.L., Vilas, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Mercury’s surface reflectance at ultraviolet to near-infrared wavelengths: Characteristics and variations.  Asia Oceania Geosciences Society – American Geophysical Union (Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting) Joint Assembly, Singapore, paper PS06-A003, http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2012/mars2/timetable.asp.
  • Izenberg, N.R., Holsclaw, G.M., Domingue, D.L., McClintock, W.E., Klima, R.L., Blewett, D.T., Kochte, M.C., Helbert, J., D’Amore, M., Sprague, A.L., Vilas, F. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Ultraviolet through near-infrared reflectance variation on Mercury and the search for mineralogical telltales.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2365.
  • Izenberg, N.R., Klima, R.L., Pashai, P., Holsclaw, G.M., McClintock, W.E., Sprague, A.L., Vilas, F., Domingue, D.L., Blewett, D.T., Murchie, S.L., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Helbert, J., Kochte, M.C., Head, J.W. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral variation of geologic end-members on Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-06.
  • Johnson, C.L., Anderson, B.J., Purucker, M.E., Alexeev, I.I., Al Asad, M., Korth, H., Phillips, R.J., Slavin, J.A., Solomon, S.C., Winslow, R.M. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Observations of internal and external magnetic fields at Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1570.
  • Johnson, C.L., Purucker, M.E., Anderson, B.J., Winslow, R.M., Al Asad, M., Korth, H., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I., Ritzer, J.A., Phillips, R.J., Zuber, M.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  MESSENGER observations of Mercury’s magnetic field structure.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1355.
  • Klimczak, C., Ernst, C.M., Byrne, P.K., Solomon, S.C. & Watters, T.R.  (2012).  Fault restriction in the Caloris smooth plains: Implications for mechanical stratigraphy.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1959.
  • Klimczak, C., Watters, T.R., Byrne, P.K., Ernst, C.M., Solomon, S.C., Goudge, T.A., Head, J.W. & Xiao, Z.  (2011).  Strain analysis of extension in volcanically flooded impact craters on Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-10, p. 359, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Lawrence, D.J., Feldman, W.C., Evans, L.G., Goldsten, J.O., McNutt, R.L., Nittler, L.R., Peplowski, P.N., Prettyman, T.H. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Hydrogen at Mercury’s north pole? Update on MESSENGER neutron measurements.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1802.
  • Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E.M., Rowlands, D.D., Torrence, M.H., Perry, M.E., Smith, D.E. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  The determination of the gravity field of Mercury from MESSENGER data.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P44B-02.
  • Lemoine, F.G., Smith, D.E., Peale, S.J., Phillips, R.J., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T., Margot, J-L., Neumann, G.A., Torrence, M.H. & Perry, M.E.  (2011).  Mercury’s gravity field from MESSENGER after 6 months in orbit.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-139.
  • Margot, J-L., Padovan, S., Peale, S.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Ground-based measurements of Mercury’s spin state and inferences about its interior.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P44B-01.
  • Margot, J-L., Padovan, S., Peale, S.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Measurements of Mercury’s spin state, moment of inertia, and core size.  Asia Oceania Geosciences Society – American Geophysical Union (Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting) Joint Assembly, Singapore, paper PS06-A010,  http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2012/mars2/timetable.asp.
  • Mazarico, E., Lemoine, F.G., Goossens, S.J., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T., Neumann, G.A., Torrence, M.H., Rowlands, D.D. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  The gravity field of Mercury from MESSENGER.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2189.
  • McNutt, R.L., Jr., Solomon, S.C., Blewett, D.T., Evans, L.G., Murchie, S.L., Nittler, L.R., Philips, R.J., Slavin, J.A., Zuber, M.T. & R. J. Vervack, J.  (2012).  A new view of Mercury: MESSENGER’s first year in orbit.  paper B0.7-0001-12, presented at 39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Mysore, India, https://www.cospar-assembly.org/abstractcd/COSPAR-12/.
  • McNutt, R.L., Jr., Solomon, S.C., Blewett, D.T., Evans, L.G., Murchie, S.L., Nittler, L.R., Philips, R.J., Slavin, J.A., Zuber, M.T. & Vervack, R.J.  (2012).  A closer look at Mercury: The MESSENGER extended mission.  paper B0.10-0007-12, presented at 39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Mysore, India, https://www.cospar-assembly.org/abstractcd/COSPAR-12/.
  • McNutt, R.L., Solomon, S.C., Bedini, P.D., Anderson, B.J., Blewett, D.T., Evans, L.G., Gold, R.E., Johnson, C.L., Murchie, S.L., Nittler, L.R., Phillips, R.J., Prockter, L.M., Slavin, J.A., Finnegan, E.J., Grant, D.G. & Team, M.  (2012).  The new view of Mercury after MESSENGER’s first year in orbit.  Asia Oceania Geosciences Society – American Geophysical Union (Western Pacific Geophysics Meeting) Joint Assembly, Singapore, paper PS06-A004, http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2012/mars2/timetable.asp.
  • Michel, N., Hauck, S.A., Johnson, C.L., Peplowski, P.N., Phillips, R.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Dynamics and evolution of Mercury’s interior as constrained by MESSENGER observations.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1581.
  • Michel, N.C., Hauck, S.A., Solomon, S.C., Phillips, R.J., Roberts, J.H. & Zuber, M.T.  (2012).  Implications of MESSENGER observations for mantle convection on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1671.
  • Murchie, S.L., Robinson, M.S., Head, J.W., Strom, R.G., Prockter, L.M., Solomon, S.C., Watters, T.R., Blewett, D.T., Chabot, N.L. & Denevi, B.W.  (2011).  Results from MESSENGER’s first solar day of orbital imaging of Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-1, p. 357, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Mysen, B.O.  (2011).  Solubility and speciation of volatiles in melts coexisting with COHN fluids at high temperature and pressure with redox conditions: Influence on isotope fraction and melt properties.  9th Annual Silicate Melt Workshop.  La Petite Pierre, France.
  • Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  Refractory oxides in high-pressure/high-temperature, silicate-saturated aqueous solutions.  53rd Annual Japanese High-Pressure Conference.  Osaka, Japan.
  • Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  Structure-property relationships of COHN-saturated silicate melt coexisting with COHN fluid at high temperature and pressure with variable redox conditions. Chem. Geol. Special Issue (Silicate Melts and Glasses).  Chem. Geol. Special Issue (Silicate Melts and Glasses), In Press.
  • Neumann, G.A., Cavanaugh, J.F., Sun, X., Mazarico, E., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T., Solomon, S.C. & Paige, D.A.  (2012).  Dark material at the surface of polar crater deposits on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2651.
  • Neumann, G.A., Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E.M., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T., Torrence, M.H., Barnouin, O.S. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Laser altimetry of Mercury, Moon, and Mars.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41F-0.
  • Neumann, G.A., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T., Phillips, R.J., Barnouin, O.S., Ernst, C.M., Goossens, S., Hauck, S.A., Head, J.W., Johnson, C.L., Lemoine, F.G., Margot, J-L., McNutt, R.L., Mazarico, E., Oberst, J., Peale, S.J., Perry, M.E., Purucker, M.E., Rowlands, D.D., Smith, D.E. & Torrence, M.H.  (2012).  Gravity, topography, and magnetic field of Mercury from MESSENGER.  paper B0.7-0007-12, presented at 39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly, Mysore, India, https://www.cospar-assembly.org/abstractcd/COSPAR-12/.
  • Nicholas, J.B., Purucker, M.E., Johnson, C.L., Sabaka, T.J., Olsen, N., Al Asad, M., Anderson, B.J., Korth, H., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I., Belenkaya, E.S., Phillips, R.J., Solomon, C., Lillis, R.J., Langlais, B., Winslow, R.M., Russell, C.T., Dougherty, M.K. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Magnetic fields of the solar system: A comparative planetary toolkit.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract GP21B-0992.
  • Nittler, L.R., Weider, S.Z., Starr, R.D., McCoy, T.J., Ebel, D.S., Lawrence, D.J., McNutt, R.L., Schlemm, C.E., Solomon, S.C. & Sprague, S.L.  (2011).  Major elements on Mercury’s surface from MESSENGER X-ray spectrometry.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-3, p. 357, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Ostrach, L.R., Chapman, C.R., Fassett, C.I., W Head, J., Merline, W.J., Robinson, M.S., Solomon, S.C., Strom, R.G. & Xiao, Z.  (2011).  Crater statistics for the northern polar region of Mercury derived from MESSENGER orbital data.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-14, p. 360, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Padovan, S., Margot, J-L., Hauck, S.A., Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E.M., Peale, S.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Modeling of Mercury tides for recovery of gravity field and interior properties.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1573.
  • Paige, D.A., Siegler, M.A., Harmon, J.K., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Stability of ices in the north polar region of Mercury.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-1639.
  • Paige, D.A., Siegler, M.A., Harmon, J.K., Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T., Neumann, G.A. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Thermal stability of frozen volatiles in the north polar region of Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2875.
  • Peplowski, P.N., Evans, L.G., Hamara, D.K., Lawrence, D.J., Rhodes, E.A., Sprague, A.L. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Compositional variability of the surface of Mercury: Results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1541.
  • Peplowski, P.N., Hamara, D.K., Evans, L.G., McCoy, T.J., Boynton, W.V., Lawrence, D.J., Nittler, L.R., Rhodes, E.A., Solomon, S.C. & Sprague, A.L.  (2011).  Potassium and thorium on the surface of Mercury: Early results from the MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-1170.
  • Perry, M.E., Kahan, D.S., Barnouin, O.S., Ernst, C.M., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Phillips, R.J., Asmar, S.W. & Oberst, J.  (2011).  Mercury’s radius and shape from radio occultations.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-1285.
  • Perry, M.E., Kahan, D.S., Barnouin, O.S., Ernst, C.M., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Phillips, R.J., Hauck, S.A., Lemoine, F.G., Neumann, G.A., Peale, S.J., Margot, J-L., Mazarico, E.M. & McNutt, R.L.  (2011).  The shape of Mercury’s south-polar region.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1575.
  • Phillips, R.J., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Hauck, S.A., Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E.M., Neumann, G.A., Peale, S.J., Margot, J-L., Johnson, C.L., Perry, M.E., Head, J.W. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Mercury lithosphere and crustal properties from MESSENGER orbital observation.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-03.
  • Preusker, F., Oberst, J., Blewett, D.T., Gwinner, K., Head, J.W., Murchie, S.L., Robinson, M.S., Watters, T.R., Zuber, M.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Topography of Mercury from stereo images: First samples from MESSENGER orbital mapping.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1913.
  • Prockter, L.M., Baker, D.M.H., Head, J.W., Murchie, S.L., Ernst, C.M., Chapman, C.R., Denevi, B.W., Solomon, S.C., Watters, T.R. & Massironi, M.  (2011).  The geology of medium-sized impact basins on Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-11, p. 359, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo., 2011 (CD-ROM).
  • Prockter, L.M., Murchie, S.L., Ernst, C.M., Baker, D.M.H., Byrne, P.K., Head, J.W., Watters, T.R., Denevi, B.W., Chapman, C.R. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  The geology of medium-sized basins on Mercury: Implications for surface processes and evolution.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1326.
  • Prockter, L.M., Solomon, S.C., McNutt, R.L., Anderson, B.J., Blewett, D.T., Evans, L.G., Gold, R.E., Murchie, S.L., Nittler, L.R., Phillips, R.J., Slavin, J.A., Vervack, R.J. & Zuber, M.T.  (2012).  The new view of Mercury after MESSENGER’s first year in orbit.  Geophys. Res. Abstracts, 14, abstract EGU2012-6188-1.
  • Purucker, M.E., Johnson, C.L., Anderson, B.J., Korth, H., Winslow, R.M., Nicholas, J.B., Zuber, M.T., Solomon, S.C., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I., Phillips, R.J., Paige, D.A. & Head, J.W.  (2012).  Processes producing the large-scale magnetic field of Mercury.  Geophys. Res. Abstracts, 14, abstract EGU2012-2495.
  • Purucker, M.E., Johnson, C.L., Moldovan, R., Zuber, M.T., Solomon, S.C., Anderson, B.J., Korth, H., Paige, D.A., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I. & Phillips, R.J.  (2011).  A search for the crustal magnetization signature of variations in insolation at Mercury.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-458.
  • Purucker, M.E., Johnson, C.L., Winslow, R.M., Nicholas, J.B., Anderson, B.J., Korth, H., Head, J.W., Zuber, M.T., Solomon, S.C., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I., Phillips, R.J. & Paige, D.A.  (2012).  Evidence for a crustal magnetic signature on Mercury from MESSENGER Magnetometer observations.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1297.
  • Purucker, M.E., Johnson, C.L., Winslow, R.M., Zuber, M.T., Solomon, S.C., Anderson, B.J., Korth, H., Paige, D.A., Slavin, J.A., Alexeev, I.I. & Phillips, R.J.  (2011).  A search for a crustal magnetization signature of variations in insolation at Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1571.
  • Rhodes, E.A., Peplowski, P.N., Evans, L.G., Hamara, D.K. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Element abundances from MESSENGER’s Gamma-Ray Spectrometer: Background normalization.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1555.
  • Rhodes, E.A., Peplowski, P.N., Evans, L.G., Hamara, D.K., Boynton, W.V. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Orbit normalization of MESSENGER Gamma-Ray Spectrometer data.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1583.
  • Richardson, S.H. & Shirey, S.B.  (2011).  Subcontinental mantle evidence for the onset of plate tectonics at 3 Ga in relation to Earth’s thermal evolution.  EOS Transactions of the AGU, 92: U44A-08.
  • Ritzer, J.A., Johnson, C.L., Hauck, S.A., Watters, T.R., Barnouin, O.S., Neumann, G.A., Mazarico, E.M., Phillips, R.J., Solomon, S.C. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Laser altimetry by MESSENGER over lobate scarps reveals the lithospheric structure of Mercury.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1594.
  • Rossano, S. & Mysen, B.O.  (2012).  Raman spectroscopy of silicate glasses and melts in Geologic systems.  In: Dubessy, J. (Eds.).  EMU Notes in Mineralogy.  Vol. 12.
  • Shirey, S.B., Van Kranendonk, M.J. & Richardson, S.H.  (2011).  SCLM and crustal evidence for 3 Ga onset of plate tectonics with implications for the Superior Province.  Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 43(5): 199.
  • Smith, D.E., Zuber, M.T., Phillips, R.J., Solomon, S.C., S. A. Hauck, I., Lemoine, F.G., Mazarico, E.M., Neumann, G.A., Peale, S.J., Margot, J-L., Johnson, C.L., Torrence, M.H., Perry, M.E., D. D. Rowlands, a. & Taylor, A.H.  (2011).  Mercury’s gravity field after the first months of MESSENGER’s orbital phase.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P43E-02.
  • Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  A tale of two spacecraft: The exploration of Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 199-11, p. 487, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  MESSENGER: Exploring the innermost planet.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41E-01.
  • Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Exploring the planet Mercury: One year of MESSENGER orbital observations.  Bull. Amer. Astron. Soc., 44, abstract 126.01.
  • Solomon, S.C., Klimczak, C., Byrne, P.K., Hauck, S.A., Balcerski, J.A., Dombard, A.J., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Phillips, R.J., Head, J.W. & Watters, T.R.  (2012).  Long-wavelength topographic change on Mercury: Evidence and mechanisms.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1578.
  • Solomon, S.C., Klimczak, C., Byrne, P.K., S. A. Hauck, I., Balcerski, J.A., Dombard, A.J., Zuber, M.T., Smith, D.E., Phillips, R.J., J. W. Head, a. & Watters, T.R.  (2012).  Long-wavelength topographic change on Mercury: Evidence and mechanisms.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1578.
  • Solomon, S.C., R. L. McNutt, J., Bedini, P.D., Anderson, B.J., Blewett, D.T., Evans, L.G., Gold, R.E., Krimigis, S.M., Murchie, S.L., Nittler, L.R., Phillips, R.J., Prockter, L.M., Slavin, J.A. & Zuber, M.T.  (2011).  Mercury after six months of MESSENGER orbital observations.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-430.
  • Stark, A., Oberst, J., Preusker, F., Gwinner, K., Peale, S.J., Margot, J-L., Zuber, M.T. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  In-situ measurement of Mercury’s physical librations using image and laser altimeter data from MESSENGER: General approach and sensitivity analysis.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1389.
  • Starr, R.D., Nittler, L.R., Weider, S.Z., Rhodes, E.A., Schriver, D., Schlemm, C.E. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  MESSENGER X-Ray Spectrometer detection of electron-induced X-ray fluorescence from Mercury’s surface.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1602.
  • Starr, R.D., Nittler, L.R., Weider, S.Z., Rhodes, E.A., Schriver, D., Schlemm, C.E. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  MESSENGER X-Ray Spectrometer detection of electron-induced X-ray fluorescence from Mercury’s surface.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1176.
  • Starr, R.D., Weider, S.Z., Nittler, L.R., Boynton, W.V., Evans, L.G., O Goldsten, J., McCoy, T.J., McNutt, R.L., Schlemm, C.E., Solomon, S.C. & Sprague, A.L.  (2011).  Mercury’s surface composition: Early results from the MESSENGER X-Ray Spectrometer.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-863.
  • Stockstill-Cahill, K.R., McCoy, T.J., Nittler, L.R. & Weider, S.Z.  (2012).  Magnesium-rich compositions on Mercury: Implications for magmatism from petrologic modeling.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2107.
  • Strom, R.G., Xiao, Z., Blewett, D.T., Chapman, C.R., Denevi, B.W., Head, J.W., Fassett, C.I., Braden, S.E., Solomon, S.C., Watters, T.R., Ernst, C.M. & Banks, M.E.  (2012).  Impact crater populations on Mercury.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1115.
  • Talpe, M.J., Mazarico, E.M., Neumann, G.A., Solomon, S.C., Zuber, M.T. & Vilas, F.  (2011).  Ratios of impact crater depth to diameter in Mercury’s north polar region from MESSENGER laser altimeter observations.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1578.
  • Talpe, M.J., Zuber, M.T., Neumann, G.A., Mazarico, E., Solomon, S.C. & Vilas, F.  (2012).  Characterization of the morphometry of impact craters hosting polar deposits in Mercury’s north polar region.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1600.
  • Vaughan, W.M., Helbert, J., Blewett, D.T., Head, J.W., Murchie, S.L., Gwinner, K., McCoy, T.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Hollow-forming layers in impact craters on Mercury: Massive sulfide or chloride deposits formed by impact melt differentiation?,.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1187.
  • Vilas, F., Domingue, D.L., Jensen, E.A., Sprague, A.L., Helbert, J., D’Amore, M. & Solomon, S.C.  (2011).  Search for absorption features in Mercury’s ultraviolet and visible reflectance properties.  EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting Abstracts and Program, abstract EPSC-DPS2011-989.
  • Vilas, F., Domingue, D.L., Sprague, A.L., Izenberg, N.R., Klima, R.L., Jensen, E.A., Helbert, J., D’Amore, M., Stockstill-Cahill, K.R. & Solomon, S.S.  (2012).  Search for absorption features in Mercury’s visible reflectance spectra: Recent results from MESSENGER.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1330.
  • Watters, T.R., Byrne, P.K., Klimczak, C., Enns, A.C., Banks, M.E., Walsh, L.S., Ernst, C.M., Robinson, M.S., Gillis-Davis, J.J., Solomon, S.C., Strom, R.G. & Gwinner, K.  (2011).  The tectonics of Mercury: The view from orbit.  2011 Fall Meeting, American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, Calif, abstract P41A-1593.
  • Watters, T.R., Solomon, S.C., Head, J.W., Ernst, C.M., Denevi, B.W., Robinson, M.S., Klimczak, C. & Goudge, T.A.  (2011).  Extension in the northern plains of Mercury.  Abstracts with Programs, 43 (5), paper 142-9, p. 358, Geological Society of America, Boulder, Colo. (CD-ROM).
  • Watters, T.R., Solomon, S.C., Robinson, M.S., Head, J.W., Strom, R.G., Klimczak, C., Byrne, P.K., Enns, A.C., Ernst, C.M., Prockter, L.M., Murchie, S.L., Oberst, J., Preusker, F., Zuber, M.T., Hauck, S.A. & Phillips, R.J.  (2012).  Tectonic features on Mercury: An orbital view with MESSENGER.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 2121.
  • Weider, S.Z., Nittler, L.R., Starr, R.D., Byrne, P.K., Hamara, D.K., McCoy, T.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  Compositional heterogeneity on Mercury’s surface revealed by MESSENGER’s X-Ray Spectrometer.  Lunar Planet. Sci., 43, abstract 1472.
  • Weider, S.Z., Nittler, L.R., Starr, R.D., Evans, L.G., McCoy, T.J. & Solomon, S.C.  (2012).  The iron content of Mercury’s surface from MESSENGER X-ray spectrometry.  75th Annual Meteoritical Society Meeting, Cairns, Australia, abstract 5347, http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/metsoc2012/.
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